FREE AGENCY Thome, Tribe have first meeting on pact

No one would discuss what transpired during the talks.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jim Thome took the Cleveland Indians' first pitch on Thursday, meeting with club officials who made a presentation to the free agent first baseman.
Thome, the Indians' career home run leader, arrived at Jacobs Field around 1 p.m., accompanied by his wife, Andrea, and agent, Pat Rooney.
The group left about two hours later. Thome departed without saying a word while waving from his SUV to reporters and photographers.
"They were very cordial," Rooney said. "They presented us with different things ancillary to the contract. It went well, and we're going to talk to them at some point in the free-agency process."
Hopeful
Thome is the most coveted slugger in this winter's free agent market, and the Indians hoped their initial package would be enough to re-sign the 32-year-old.
Indians owner Larry Dolan, general manager Mark Shapiro, and vice presidents Paul Dolan and Dennis Lehman all participated in the presentation as well as various members of the club's front office.
Shapiro refused to talk about the team's offer and what took place during the first of many potential meetings in the negotiations.
"I'm not going to violate the process by making any comments on our meeting," Shapiro said. "It's our feeling that any comment could potentially jeopardize the negotiations, and we don't want to take any chances with Jim Thome."
Expected offer
Cleveland was expected to offer a four- to six-year deal for Thome, which could include two option years that could become guaranteed based on his performance. Shapiro has said the club would be creative with its proposal and hinted that it may contain some incentives based on performance and attendance.
Shapiro said earlier this week that he expects Thome and Rooney to take offers from other teams before approaching the Indians with a counterproposal.
One of those teams will likely be the Philadelphia Phillies. Rooney confirmed that the Phillies have contacted Thome, who has spent his entire 10-year career with Cleveland, and the Phillies plan to have him visit the construction site of their new ballpark next week.
Outstanding season
Thome, who can't talk money with teams other than the Indians until Nov. 13, is coming off a career season. He hit a club record 52 homers with 118 RBIs despite the lack of protection in Cleveland's lineup.
He batted .304, scored 101 runs and led the AL in walks (122) and slugging percentage (.677). He has hit at least 30 homers in each of the past seven seasons and had 100 or more RBIs in six of the past seven.