BASEBALL Phillies begin courting Thome

Philadelphia will also go after Atlanta pitcher Tom Glavine.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHILADELPHIA -- A tour of the new stadium site, a hockey game and maybe even a cheesesteak.
Free agent slugger Jim Thome was to get red-carpet treatment when he met with the Philadelphia Phillies today.
Thome, who hit a club record 52 homers this season for the Cleveland Indians, is the most coveted hitter in this winter's free agent market. Phillies general manager Ed Wade said signing the 32-year-old first baseman is his top priority.
While Thome was on his way to Philadelphia, team officials were in Atlanta on Wednesday meeting with free agent left-hander Tom Glavine. The Phillies, coming off their 14th losing season in 16 years, are making a serious push to bolster the middle of their lineup and their starting rotation. Their sights are set on Thome and Glavine, a two-time NL Cy Young award winner.
Thome arrived in Philadelphia Wednesday night. He was scheduled to meet with Wade and other team officials, take a tour of the new stadium that's set to open in 2004 and probably take in the Flyers' game against the New Jersey Devils tonight. As for lunch, he's sure to be offered a Philly cheesesteak -- if his diet allows the calories, carbs and saturated fat.
The Phillies can't make a contract offer to Thome until next Wednesday, but hope to convince him this is where he should play next season. The Indians, who have won six division titles and been to the World Series twice during Thome's tenure, met with him and agent Pat Rooney last Thursday.
Cleveland is prepared to make Thome the highest-paid player in club history, but reportedly offered him $11 million per season, lower than the $15 million the Phillies might give him.
Thome would fill the void created by the departure of third baseman Scott Rolen, traded to St. Louis in July. Thome hit .304 with 118 RBIs, 122 walks and had a .445 on-base percentage this season. He has hit at least 30 homers seven straight years and has driven in more than 100 runs in six of the last seven seasons.
Free agency
NEW YORK -- Anaheim's Dennis Cook and Boston's Willie Banks filed for free agency, and Edgar Martinez's immediate future was unclear after the Seattle Mariners declined their one-year, $10 million option on the popular designated hitter.