Thome & approximately $22 million to Chicago for Aaron Rowand and two solid prospects. Details:
The
deal, first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, is subject to
the players passing physicals, the Phillies and White Sox said. Because
of the cash involved, it also
must be approved by the commissioner's office. The Phillies are
giving the White Sox $22 million as part of the deal, a baseball
official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press.A
source told ESPN Insider's Jerry Crasnick that the Phillies will also
receive two minor-league left-handed pitchers, Daniel Haigwood and Gio
Gonzalez, a supplemental first-round pick (38th overall) for the White
Sox in the 2004 draft.
It seems like this deal has made both cities very happy. Beerleaguer does an in depth break down from the Phillies point of view:
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Final verdict
Considering the quality of the
pitching prospects involved, in addition to the significant defensive
upgrade in Rowand, this is a very good deal for the Phils, who are
beginning to lay a younger, more dynamic foundation for 2006.
The opinions coming out of Chicago are also very positive per South Side Sox:
The universal reaction to the Thome trade in Chicago has overwhelming positive. It appears that Kenny Williams is now the unquestioned god of baseball GMs, or at least he is to Chicago's baseball scribes.
My take:
Jim Thome was the face of the Phillies organization coming into last season; he was a fan favorite and nothing but a class guy. Age, injury, and a young stud waiting in his footsteps were all it took for the Phillies to have to move him. I'm sad to see Thome put on another uniform, but it was a necessary step to move the Phillies in the right direction. The trade is encouraging in many ways. Not only do the Phillies get a legit CF and two young pitching prospects, but it also shows the Pat Gillick is ready and willing to pull the trigger.
News
There was also some interesting talk on the Phillies message boards regarding the Yankees interest in Rowand with the Phillies perhaps flipping Rowand and going with Victornio/JMike in center.