The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians made a final contract offer to free-agent first baseman Jim Thome on Monday, adding a fifth year that raised the deal's total to about $60 million, according to a team source.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said he e-mailed a new proposal to Thome's agent, Pat Rooney, that represents a "significant increase in commitment" by Cleveland ownership.

Shapiro wouldn't comment on details of the proposal to Thome, who hit a team-record 52 homers this year. The length and value of the package were disclosed by a team source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"It pushes to the threshold of what we can do and still build a championship team around Jim," Shapiro said.

The club made its initial offer, a four-year deal worth between $40 million and $48 million, to Thome on Oct.31. A few days later, the Philadelphia Phillies made an offer thought to be worth $75 million over five years.

"I'm assuming it's the Phillies or us at this point," said Shapiro.

Last week, Rooney said he wanted a final proposal from the Indians, whom he promised "a last shot" in signing Thome.

If the Phillies come back with a huge counteroffer, Shapiro said the Indians will not go any higher.

"We are not getting into a bidding war," he said.

CARDINALS: Right-hander Woody Williams became the first of baseball's 157 free agents to re-sign with his team, agreeing to a $14.9 million, two-year contract with St.Louis.

Williams, 58-62 in his major league career prior to the August 2001 trade that sent him from San Diego to St.Louis, has gone 16-5 with a 2.42 ERA for the Cardinals.

Andy Benes plans on ending his baseball career, even though his 1.86 ERA during the second half of the season was the best among NL starting pitchers.

"My services aren't for sale anymore," the free-agent right-hander said.

RED SOX: Boston made 28-year-old Theo Epstein the youngest general manager in baseball history, ending a long search for a front-office leader by promoting one of its own. Epstein was the Red Sox's assistant GM this past season.

Boston had been without a permanent general manager since Florida financier John W.Henry bought the team in spring training and fired Dan Duquette. Mike Port was interim GM for the season and was a candidate for the long-term job that went to Epstein. Port has been invited to remain as vice president of baseball operations.

PIRATES-TIGERS DEAL: Pittsburgh filled a long-troublesome spot in its lineup, acquiring first baseman Randall Simon from Detroit for three minor leaguers. The Tigers acquired Australian-born left-hander Adrian Burnside and two prospects to be named.

Simon, 27, is coming off his best major league season, hitting .301 with 19 homers and 82 RBI. He hit .316 with runners in scoring position and struck out only 30 times in 482 at-bats, making him the toughest AL batter to strike out.

ASTROS: Outfielder Richard Hidalgo sustained muscle and nerve damage when he was shot in the left forearm during an attempted carjacking in Venezuela last week.

Team doctors examined Hidalgo Sunday and plan additional nerve and circulatory tests and will monitor Hidalgo for the next 10-to-14 days.

"If surgery is necessary it will be to explore and decompress the nerve," General Manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "Whether surgery is necessary or not, the doctors are cautiously optimistic that he'll be ready and available to participate in spring training next February."