Phillies to trade Thome to White Sox
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A month after winning the World Series, the Chicago White Sox began reworking a roster that produced the team's first championship in 88 years.
Injury-plagued slugger Jim Thome is on his way to the White Sox and gritty center fielder Aaron Rowand, one of the top defensive outfielders in baseball, is headed to Philadelphia.
What about Konerko?
The White Sox's acquisition of Jim Thome does not signal the end of their quest to re-sign free-agent first baseman Paul Konerko.
In a perfect world, the White Sox would love to have both players, with Thome replacing free agents Carl Everett and Frank Thomas in the designated hitter role. But the acquisition of Thome certainly will cushion the blow if Konerko decides to sign elsewhere.
The Orioles and Angels remain very interested in Konerko, and the Red Sox could become major players when they get a general manager and if they trade left fielder Manny Ramirez. The Mets, thought to be a possible suitor for Konerko, are out of the running now that they have acquired first baseman Carlos Delgado from the Marlins.
The Phillies' contribution toward Thome's remaining salary reduces the White Sox's commitment to slightly more than $7 million annually for three years. Konerko is expected to receive at least $13 million annually over four or five years.
-Ken Rosenthal
The teams reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday that would send Thome and cash from the Phillies to Chicago for Rowand and two minor league pitchers. The trade is subject to both big league players passing physicals - Thome is scheduled to have his exam on Friday.
The Phillies are giving the White Sox $22 million as part of the deal, a baseball official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the teams did not make that information public.
Philadelphia will also receive left-handers Giovany Gonzalez, Chicago's first-round pick in the 2004 amateur draft, and Daniel Haigwood as part of the deal, another baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the trade wasn't finalized.
Acquiring Thome does not necessarily mean the White Sox are out of the running to re-sign free agent first baseman Paul Konerko. In addition to playing first, Thome can also be a DH, and the White Sox needed a left-handed swinging power threat - with or without Konerko.
Chicago general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Williams has said he is balancing Konerko's right to explore the market and preparing in case the first baseman does not return. Konerko, the AL championship series MVP, is not expected to choose a team before the winter meetings, which begin Dec. 5 in Dallas.
Thome, one of the AL's top sluggers while with the Indians and a native of Peoria, Ill., talked with the Chicago Cubs before joining the Phillies in 2003. He hit a total of 89 home runs in his first two seasons in Philadelphia before back and elbow injuries limited him to 59 games this year, when he slumped to .207 with seven homers and 30 RBIs in 193 at-bats.
The 35-year-old has 430 career homers, but is coming off surgery on his right elbow in August.
He is owed $43.5 million over the final three seasons of his $85 million, six-year contract. The deal also calls for the final $2.5 million of his $10 million signing bonus to be paid next year, normally the responsibility of the original club.
Thome became expendable after the emergence of first baseman Ryan Howard, who won the NL Rookie of the Year award after batting .288 with 22 homers and 63 RBIs in 88 games.
Rowand batted .270 with 13 homers and 69 RBIs for the White Sox last season. In the postseason, he hit .400 in the division series, .167 in the ALCS and .294 in the World Series.
He was just in Chicago, first for a Bears game on Sunday and then to appear at the premiere of the World Series DVD on Monday night. At that time, he said he wanted to remain with the White Sox.
Rowand will make $3.25 million next year, and his contract includes a $3.25 million player option for 2007. If Rowand declines, his club can exercise the option at $5 million.
Rowand gained attention last season with his excellent defense in center field, especially during a series at Yankee Stadium when he made several stellar catches.
He was sidetracked before becoming Chicago's starting center fielder when the White Sox signed Kenny Lofton right before spring training. Now he could be replacing Lofton, who played last season with the Phillies and batted .335 while platooning with Jason Michaels in center.
Rowand is represented by Craig Landis, also the agent for Konerko.
If the White Sox do re-sign Konerko, it's unclear whether they also would attempt to keep Frank Thomas, who also became a free agent. Without Rowand to patrol center, Chicago might move Scott Podsednik from left field to center and give top prospect Brian Anderson a shot in left or center.
The trade is the first major move for new Phillies general manager Pat Gillick, who replaced Ed Wade this month. Wade lost his job after the Phillies missed the playoffs for the 12th straight year and 21st time in 22 seasons.
Philadelphia went 88-74 this year and finished one game behind NL wild-card winner Houston.
The White Sox went 11-1 in the postseason, sweeping Boston in the first round, beating the Angels in five games in the AL championship series and then taking four straight from the Astros in the World Series.
