Thome offered 5th year

Indians GM Mark Shapiro said the team won't get into a bidding war.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians made a final contract offer to free agent Jim Thome on Monday, adding a fifth year that raised the deal's total to about $60 million, according to a team source.
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said he e-mailed a new proposal to Thome's agent, Pat Rooney, that represents a "significant increase in commitment" by Cleveland ownership.
Shapiro wouldn't comment on details of the proposal to Thome, who hit a team-record 52 homers this year. The length and value of the package were disclosed by a team source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
"It pushes to the threshold of what we can do and still build a championship team around Jim," Shapiro said.
The club made its initial offer, a four-year deal worth between $40 million and $48 million, to Thome on Oct. 31. A few days later, the Philadelphia Phillies made an offer thought to be worth $75 million over five years.
"I'm assuming it's the Phillies or us at this point," said Shapiro, who expects Philadelphia to improve its deal, too. "If we chase their dollars, we're going to lose that battle."
The Phillies, who signed free agent third baseman David Bell to a $17 million, four-year deal, could add a sixth year to their proposal to entice Thome, their top off-season free agent target.
Bell's signing could help the Phillies get Thome. The pair were teammates during Bell's two stints with Cleveland, and they are good friends.
No-brainer
Shapiro said owner Larry Dolan and his son, Paul, a team vice president and general counsel, spent most of the past week framing the Indians' latest offer.
"It's a no-brainer whether I want to sign Jim," Shapiro said. "I think our owners recognize that, and that's why they extended the offer. The Dolan family knows that this is a special circumstance and a special player."
Last week, Rooney said he wanted a final proposal from the Indians, whom he promised "a last shot" in signing Thome. Rooney said Thome, who also visited the Phillies and Chicago Cubs, was eager to put the free agent process behind him.
Thome and his wife, Andrea, are expecting their first child next month.
If the Phillies come back with a huge counteroffer, Shapiro said the Indians would not go any higher.
"We are not getting into a bidding war," he said. "In many ways we are done negotiating."
In case the Indians don't re-sign Thome, Shapiro has been working on contingency plans. Like Thome, the second-year GM has spent his entire career with the Indians, which has made these negotiations emotional and personal.
Shapiro is confident that the Indians' new offer will make Thome's decision difficult.
"I think we're going to make the decision tough for him," Shapiro said. "I still hope he stays."
Shapiro, better than anyone, understands what signing Thome means to the Indians' future.
"If we sign him, I have a cornerstone player," he said. "If we don't, it will make it a much more painful transition, but I'll have the money [to sign other players]. The only positive will be our payroll flexibility will be there."
Surgery set for Indians' closer
Indians closer Bob Wickman, expected to miss all next season, will undergo reconstructive elbow surgery Dec. 6 in Anaheim, Calif.
The Indians said Wickman's "Tommy John" surgery will be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Anaheim Angels' team orthopedist.
Wickman went 1-3 with a 4.46 ERA last season and appeared in 36 games despite pitching with a torn tendon in his elbow.
The 33-year-old Wickman is signed with the Indians through 2004.
Danys Baez, a starter for most of 2002, will assume the closer's duties while Wickman is out.