Jim Thome took the stage at the City Club on Oct. 25, and spoke in generalities about continuing his career.
Yesterday, he got a little more specific.
Despite being acquired by the Indians for the pennant race in August, reuniting the record-setting slugger with a team and city that adores him, Thome agreed to sign a free-agent contract with the Phillies, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
Thome’s $1.25 million, one-year deal with the Phillies — another of his former teams — is contingent on passing a physical, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because nothing can be finalized until the 41-year-old takes the medical exam.
NATIONALS: Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang agreed to a one-year contract to return to the team.
Wang, a former Yankee, went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA in 11 starts for Washington in 2011. Relying primarily on his trademark sinker, he struck out 25 batters and walked 13 in 62 ¹/ innings.
D’BACKS: Kevin Towers and Kirk Gibson helped engineer a quick turnaround in the desert, and the Diamondbacks are hoping the two will stick around for a while.
Towers and Gibson each had their contracts extended three years, through at least 2014. There also are mutual options for two more years for the general manager and manager that must be exercised by 2013, but also could be triggered by performance incentives.
OBIT: Bob Forsch, the only pitcher in Cardinals history to throw two no-hitters, died at the age of 61.
Team spokesman Brian Bartow said Forsch, the third-winningest pitcher in franchise history, died Thursday at his home near Tampa, Fla. A cause was not immediately known.
BLUE JAYS: Former Tampa Bay general manager Chuck Lamar was hired as a special assistant for amateur scouting.
— AP
