Phillies general manager Ed Wade would not confirm or deny last night that the club is trying to trade veteran first baseman Jim Thome. According to a report in USA Today Sports Weekly, two National League teams claim that the Phils are shopping Thome, who is on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow. "I don't comment on trade rumors," Wade said before the Phillies met Florida at Citizens Bank Park. Trading Thome would be difficult for several reasons. First, he is in the third year of a six-year, $85 million contract and few teams can afford that payout. Second, he has a complete no-trade clause, so he must approve any trade. Third, he turns 35 on Aug. 27. And fourth, he hasn't been completely healthy for a significant stretch of time since he broke a finger in spring training in 2004. After he took fielding practice last night, Thome said he hadn't heard that he might be dealt. Asked if he would waive his no-trade clause to go elsewhere, Thome said: "I signed to be a Phillie. To be honest, I'd rather not comment because it would be out of context. I really haven't heard anything about this." If he agreed to a trade, the Phils would likely have to pay a sizable chunk of his contract, which includes a club option in 2009. After this year, Thome is guaranteed at least $46 million for the remainder of the contract. That number could grow to $56 million, with a club option that automatically vests in 2009, based on plate appearances in 2007 and '08.