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I've been out of the loop since Wednesday. Like many of you, I was at my parent's house for Thanksgiving. It's enjoyable for the most part, except for the fact that they still don't have internet service. I was also told by my grandmother that she has never been on a computer. That's just one more thing she has in common with with Pat Gillick.

It may be unfair to rip on Gillick given what transpired a few days ago. I figured he'd be lucky to unload Thome's contract before Spring Training. As it turns out, he got the deal done much earlier than anyone expected. The value that he got makes the deal look even better. Rowand plays great defense in center, and while he is by no means an offensive star, he's certainly not a scrub either. The Phillies will be paying half of Thome's remaining contract, but that was to be expected. Overall, I'd say Gillick's 1st move as Phillies GM goes down as "two thumbs up".

The Marlins are right in the middle of what people are calling a "fire sale." It seems those people are ignoring the quality prospects the Marlins are getting in the process. Mike Jacobs and Yuesmiro Petit came over from NY and Boston sent Hanley Ramirez and Annibal Sanchez. Jacobs will be ready to play in April. The other 3 will probably see at least half the year in the minors, but will surely be called up at some point in 2006.

The Marlins did this after their first World Series win. Those trades brought them the likes of Dontrelle Willis, Carl Pavano, AJ Burnett, and Juan Pierre. These new prospects could be jsut as good. Of course, unless fans start coming to the games, the team will never succeed and will be forced to do the same thing five or six years from now. But that's a different story altogether. For now let's just say that maybe the Marlins are being a bit more shrewd than people are giving them credit for.

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