The Phillies signed veteran slugger Jim Thome to a one-year contract on Friday. It carries a $1.25 million base salary, but the 41-year-old can earn another $250,000 through performance-based incentives.
According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Thome will get $50,000 if he reaches 175 plate appearances, another $50,000 if he makes 200 plate appearances, and so on, and so on, up to 275 total PAs.
Thome has topped 320 plate appearances in 15 of his last 16 seasons, but all but three of those were played in the American League, where he could serve as the designated hitter. He won’t have that luxury in Philadelphia, and the Phillies have no plans to give him regular looks at first base.
