PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Jim Thome reportedly has made up his mind to play first base for the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday that Thome, one of the prized free agents available this offseason, has decided to accept the Phils' six-year deal worth approximately $85 million.
The Inquirer said the announcement is not expected until Tuesday because Thome must first pass a physical.
Thome has been courted by both the Phillies and the his current team, the Cleveland Indians, for whom he has played his entire major league career.
Various reports indicated that Thome got the Indians to sweeten their five-year, $60 million deal by adding a sixth year with a vested option. Thome then pondered his decision over the long Thanksgiving weekend at his own in Aurora, Ohio.
After thinking it over, Thome apparently could not give up the chance to become the highest-paid player in Phillies history. He would become the most prolific free agent to land in Philadelphia since Pete Rose left Cincinnati after the 1978 season.
Thome, 32, is a career .287 hitter with 334 home runs and 927 RBI. He made his major league debut with the Indians in 1991, and owns their single season and career home runs records.
Thome hit a career-high 49 homers and drove in 124 runs last season. His signing would be a bold step forward for the Phillies, who have expanded their payroll and will move into a new park in 2004.
The Phillies already have signed third baseman David Bell, and have made an offer to highly-sought pitcher Tom Glavine. His arrival would end the tenure of Travis Lee at first.
Thome would become the latest veteran to leave the rebuilding Indians. Pitchers Bartolo Colon, and Chuck Finley were traded last season, joining a list of departees over the last few years that included Manny Ramirez, Juan Gonzalez, Roberto Alomar, and Kenny Lofton.
