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Looks like Reinsdorf doesn't want to pay Konerko
White Sox, Phillies swing deal for slugger Thome
By Micheal Radano, (Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA — Pat Gillick understood that by accepting the job as Philadelphia Phillies general manager, he had two major issues to contend with before spring training.
On Wednesday, he went a long way toward solving the bigger of the two issues.
"It's always difficult to move someone with (Jim Thome's) talent level," Gillick said.
But with National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard primed to return, Gillick and the Phillies tentatively agreed to trade first baseman Thome to the Chicago White Sox for center fielder Aaron Rowand and a pair of minor league prospects. The Phillies also agreed to pay $22 million of the $46 million owed to Thome.
The prospects are left-handed pitchers Daniel Haigwood and Gio Gonzalez, according to multiple sources. The trade is pending physical examinations, which will occur later this week.
"I said when I took the job, I didn't see this as a bad situation," said Gillick, who assumed the role of Phillies general manager earlier this month. "You can view the situation as we had an excess at one position that another club did not have."
Thome has played three seasons in Philadelphia, hitting over 40 home runs and driving in more than 100 RBI in his first two years.
This season, he missed much of the year due to a back injury and a bad right elbow, which limited his throwing so much that he went on the disabled list for good on July 4. He finished the abbreviated season with seven home runs and 30 RBI.
With Thome sidelined, Howard hit 22 home runs in just over half a season
Howard won the Rookie of the Year award on the power of a huge September.
"It hurts to lose a class act like (Thome)," Howard said. "He taught me a lot."
"In a way, I guess it's a relief not to have to hear the same questions now. I was going to start training on Monday regardless, but I will miss him. It doesn't change my approach. Either way I have to do my job or I don't have one."
"I don't know if that's a good thing or not," Gillick said. "I think pressure can be a good thing. I think it can give you that drive needed to succeed."
In exchange, the Phillies get a quality center fielder that hit .270 with 13 home runs, 69 RBI and 16 stolen bases this season for the world champion White Sox.
White Sox, Phillies swing deal for slugger Thome
By Micheal Radano, (Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA — Pat Gillick understood that by accepting the job as Philadelphia Phillies general manager, he had two major issues to contend with before spring training.
On Wednesday, he went a long way toward solving the bigger of the two issues.
"It's always difficult to move someone with (Jim Thome's) talent level," Gillick said.
But with National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard primed to return, Gillick and the Phillies tentatively agreed to trade first baseman Thome to the Chicago White Sox for center fielder Aaron Rowand and a pair of minor league prospects. The Phillies also agreed to pay $22 million of the $46 million owed to Thome.
The prospects are left-handed pitchers Daniel Haigwood and Gio Gonzalez, according to multiple sources. The trade is pending physical examinations, which will occur later this week.
"I said when I took the job, I didn't see this as a bad situation," said Gillick, who assumed the role of Phillies general manager earlier this month. "You can view the situation as we had an excess at one position that another club did not have."
Thome has played three seasons in Philadelphia, hitting over 40 home runs and driving in more than 100 RBI in his first two years.
This season, he missed much of the year due to a back injury and a bad right elbow, which limited his throwing so much that he went on the disabled list for good on July 4. He finished the abbreviated season with seven home runs and 30 RBI.
With Thome sidelined, Howard hit 22 home runs in just over half a season
Howard won the Rookie of the Year award on the power of a huge September.
"It hurts to lose a class act like (Thome)," Howard said. "He taught me a lot."
"In a way, I guess it's a relief not to have to hear the same questions now. I was going to start training on Monday regardless, but I will miss him. It doesn't change my approach. Either way I have to do my job or I don't have one."
"I don't know if that's a good thing or not," Gillick said. "I think pressure can be a good thing. I think it can give you that drive needed to succeed."
In exchange, the Phillies get a quality center fielder that hit .270 with 13 home runs, 69 RBI and 16 stolen bases this season for the world champion White Sox.
