The Indians are spending the weekend preparing a last-ditch offer to prevent free agent Jim Thome from leaving Cleveland, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported.

	Jim Thome First baseman Free agent Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM AB HR RBI SLG AVG 147 480 52 118 .677 .304

They're expected to present it Monday, as Thome's agent requested. Thome then hopes to make a decision by Thanksgiving, according to baseball sources.

"His wife is due with the baby," agent Pat Rooney said Friday. "They would like to get moving on this and get the process going."

Thome's wife, Andrea, is expecting the couple's first child around Christmas.

Cleveland already has made an offer thought to be worth between $40 and $48 million over four years. Indians general manager Mark Shapiro has spent part of the past week talking with owner Larry Dolan about ways the club can raise its proposal to Thome.

Shapiro said it's unlikely the budget-concious club could increase guaranteed money, but said the Indians have left themselves "room for creativity and flexibility."

"I assume we will hear from them on Monday," Rooney said.

One alternative the Indians are believed to be considering is adding a fifth year to their original package.

Rooney promised to give Cleveland "a last shot" at signing Thome, and whatever the Indians finally decide to do, they're hoping its enough to re-sign their career home run leader.

Thome, 32, is also mulling an offer from the Philadelphia Phillies, who have made Thome their No. 1 target in this winter's free agent market. That proposal is thought to be worth $75 million over five years.

Phillies general manager Ed Wade said Rooney told him the two-time All-Star is close to making a decision.

"He indicated to me that Jim is getting to the point where the level of anxiety continues to build and he would like to resolve it sooner than later," said Wade, who met with free agent pitcher Tom Glavine on Friday.

Earlier this week, Thome visited the Chicago Cubs to see if they are interested in him. He grew up in Peoria, Ill., and always wanted to play for the Cubs. However, Thome has not yet received an offer from Chicago.

Rooney didn't indicate how soon he would give the Indians an answer after he gets their next offer.

"We don't have a timetable on it," he said. "We'll see how things progress."

Thome hit an Indians-record 52 homers this season and led the AL in walks and slugging percentage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.