PHILADELPHIA -- A tour of the new stadium site, a hockey game and maybe even a cheesesteak.

	Thome

Free-agent slugger Jim Thome will get red-carpet treatment when he meets with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

Thome, who hit a club-record 52 homers this season for the Cleveland Indians, is the most coveted hitter in this winter's free agent market. Phillies general manager Ed Wade said signing the 32-year-old first baseman is his top priority.

While Thome was on his way to Philadelphia, team officials were in Atlanta on Wednesday meeting with free agent left-hander Tom Glavine. The Phillies, coming off their 14th losing season in 16 years, are making a serious push to bolster the middle of their lineup and their starting rotation. Their sights are set on Thome and Glavine, a two-time NL Cy Young award winner.

Thome was to arrive in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. He'll meet with Wade and other team officials on Thursday, take a tour of the new stadium that's set to open in 2004 and probably take in the Flyers' game against the New Jersey Devils at night. As for lunch, he's sure to be offered a Philly cheesesteak -- if his diet allows the calories, carbs and saturated fat.

The Phillies can't make a contract offer to Thome until next Tuesday, but hope to convince him this is where he should play next season. The Indians, who have won six division titles and been to the World Series twice during Thome's tenure, met with him and agent Pat Rooney last Thursday.

Cleveland is prepared to make Thome the highest-paid player in club history, but reportedly offered him $11 million per season, lower than the $15 million the Phillies might give him.

Thome would fill the void created by the departure of third baseman Scott Rolen, traded to St. Louis in July. Thome hit .304 with 118 RBIs, 122 walks and had a .445 on-base percentage this season. He has hit at least 30 homers seven straight years and has driven in more than 100 runs in six of the last seven seasons.

Glavine, 36, has spent all 16 of his seasons with the Braves. He was 18-11 with a 2.96 ERA this season, has won 20 games or more five times, and is 242-143 overall. Atlanta is considered the front-runner to retain Glavine, but he reportedly was upset with an offer of $8 million for one season.

Glavine would significantly improve a rotation that includes All-Star Vicente Padilla, left-hander Randy Wolf, one of the NL's best pitchers in the second half of this season, Brandon Duckworth and former first-round pick Brett Myers.

Wade and manager Larry Bowa also are planning to meet with free agent third baseman David Bell this weekend. Bell hit .261 with 20 homers and 71 RBIs for the San Francisco Giants last year. He played with Seattle in 2000 when Bowa was a coach with the Mariners.

If the Phillies can't sign Thome or Glavine, they will target Giants second baseman Jeff Kent on offense, and Braves four-time Cy Young award winner Greg Maddux and Seattle's Jamie Moyer for the rotation.