BASEBALL Indians, Phillies await Thome's decision

Both teams have increased their offers to the slugging free agent first baseman.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The only negotiating that's still going on is in Jim Thome's head -- and his heart.
The Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies are anxiously waiting for the free agent first baseman to decide where he's going to play for the next five or so years.
Earlier this week, Cleveland increased its contract offer to about $60 million over five years, a team source said on the condition of anonymity. Philadelphia sweetened its package to $95 million over six years, a Phillies team source said, also on the condition of anonymity.
The Phillies' proposal contains a team option for 2009 that would make the contract worth up to $115 million, the source said.
Announcement
Thome is expected to announce his decision before Thanksgiving.
"I would be surprised if I don't get a call by then," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "But this is a huge decision for a person who has a big heart and who doesn't make a decision without recognizing the people that it touches."
Shapiro spoke to Thome's agent, Pat Rooney, several times Tuesday.
"It's not active negotiations," Shapiro said. "The next conversation will be a 'Yes' or a 'No."'
Rooney did not return several telephone messages seeking comment.
Despite the huge difference between the offers, Shapiro thinks the Indians still have a shot at re-signing Thome, who hit a club record 52 homers last season.
"Until we're told we didn't sign him, I think we're in the hunt," Shapiro said. "But I'm not sitting in my office staring at the wall waiting for an answer from Jim Thome."
Shapiro said he called Thome on Tuesday to wish him luck, but had not yet heard back from the 32-year-old slugger.
"I wanted to tell him that regardless of his decision, it was an honor to have seen him play here," Shapiro said.
The Phillies are optimistic Thome will turn down Cleveland.
"I might be surprised if he's not coming," manager Larry Bowa said. "I know he wants to win. He's gathering a lot of information and it's a decision he has to make."
Thome has told friends that he's eager to sign and wanted to have things wrapped up as soon as possible. He and his wife, Andrea, are expecting their first child next month.
Popular with fans
Thome has spent his entire career with the Indians, and has become hugely popular with Cleveland fans. In addition to hitting 30 or more homers in each of the past seven years, Thome is also actively involved in community service in the area.
He recently received the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually by major league baseball for charity work.
Shapiro indicated that the Indians are trying to make their deal as attractive as possible to Thome, but they are "without a doubt done negotiating guaranteed dollars."
He wasn't upset that Rooney allowed the Phillies a second face-to-face meeting with Thome. Philadelphia GM Ed Wade and other front office members flew to Peoria, Ill., on Monday and spent several hours with Thome.
Shapiro joked about the media frenzy surrounding Thome's decision.
"I heard 43 reports that Jim was in Peoria, Cleveland and Chicago," Shapiro said. "I think he did one of those whistle stop tours of the Midwest. Today he's probably in Ben Franklin's house in Philadelphia, or he might be sewing the American flag in Betsy Ross's row house."