From Pluto re: Thome contract

[*TR]

From pluto's newsletter Feb. 27, Q & A;

FROM DOUG WEIDNER, MEDINA:
Does the halt in Thome's contract talks mean the Tribe will lose him?
I've heard Mark Shapiro is a HUGE Sean Casey fan, and Casey will be a
free agent in 2003? Is Shapiro positioning himself for a run at Casey?

DEAR DOUG:
Since Casey just signed a contract extension with Cincinnati, that
theory has no validity. My understanding is Thome's agent wants big bucks
for a lot of years. The Indians are moving slowly, especially in these
economics times. It will come down to Thome. How much does he really
want to play for the Tribe? Last time, he traded dollars for a no-trade
clause. He makes $7.5 million this year. I'd offer Thome a 4-year, $40
million deal with the no-trade clause because he's often said he'd like
to play his entire career with the Tribe.

Copyright (c) 2002 Akron Beacon Journal, Knight Ridder Publishing. All
Rights Reserved.


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[Alex]

It's weird how negotiations go...it seems like first the high value amount is set, then a battle ensues over the amount of years.

It seems to me it should be the other way around. First the length of contract is determined, then the amount per year is discussed.

10 million a year is what many of us are saying, but not for 7 or 8 years.

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Alex

[Hawaii007]

I agree with Pluto...give him 4 years at 10 million a year plus a club option 5th year automatically vesting with certain reqs.

No trade clause definitely.

I mean what do the Indians have ot lose in terms of a no trade clause? They have no one in the minors to take over at first. Snyder is good, but not Thome-like and well after 2003, the DH slot is gonna be free. Snyder probably can back-up semi-platoon with Branyan and Thome since they are both lefties and he is a righty.

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