It finally became official yesterday.

We have been over the Gonzalez signing many times before, so I won't belabor the point.

Welcome aboard Gonzo.

Which is more than likely true, however, I have learned in life to write nothing in stone until it happens.  But this is looking very good.

According to his agent:

Woo Hoo!

One really bad idea averted with two more to go.  Now if we can just get the Barrett and Maroth ideas to go away, we will be set.

This isn't really that much of an update but I guess it is good the wheels are turning.

Instead of me hacking through the "new" information, we will let Sarah Talalay give us the overview.

One part of the possible agreement is pretty interesting.

The Marlins have agreed to covering the overruns in the past so this probably wouldn't be a big deal.  The interesting part is MLB agreeing to keep a team playing in the same location for 30 years.

I'm not sure they will agree to that.  While we are all rabid fans of the Fish, let's face it, there aren't that many of us.  And MLB agreeing to keep a team in place for 30 years without knowing if the attendance will increase at the games could be problematic.

The attendance could increase, of course, but unless there is some assurance of a minimum yearly attendance level it could be a tough sell.  Not to mention that the Marlins still haven't agreed to contribute the same amount of money to the Orange Bowl site as the downtown site.

We still have a ways to go but step one of the 197 steps needed to get a stadium has taken place.  So I guess that is good news.

Last night didn't go well, but tonight we try it again.

The Marlins starting pitcher is Sergio Mitre.

The Astros plan to counter with Jason Jennings.

Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Mitre pitched better in his last outing and it would have been excellent if not for that one crappy inning where he gave up five runs.  But overall, his sinker was more effective and if he can get it working tonight, assuming the defense is going to help, he should give the Astros problems.

Jennings last start was probably the worst of career, going just 0.2 innings and allowing 11 runs.  He tends to have his troubles in away games and lefties do the best against him.  Jennings is a serviceable pitcher but is rarely untouchable.

Today is Super Saturday.

The first 25,000 get a Billy the Marlin flag. If you find yourselves riding in one of the first 5,000 cars, the car will receive a Marlins auto care kit. Tonight's entertainment is Oscar D'Leon.

And the most important thing going on for Super Saturday is that the Marlins Wives are hosting their annual Back-To-School drive. So if go out to the game and want a couple of free tickets for a future game, be sure to tote along one of the following items.

Ichthyomancy is living for the weekend.

Here's today's Ichthyomancy pick table:

Best of Luck to Everyone!

Ah, it's starting to feel like spring training already and one sign of spring is the annual barbecue with the Marlins and the Cardinals.

If you can make it out to event, I'm sure it will be a good time and who knows - you may end up feeling good about shelling out $40 bucks for a barbecue plate.  Oh, by the way, that is not my preferred spelling of barbecue - just like anyone cares.

Miguel Cabrera's winter team will be going for the championship.

Cabrera's team will, naturally, be representing the Venezuela league.  We wish him all the best, with this one caveat, please don't get hurt.

Since the teams can add additional players from their respective leagues, it is possible there could be some more Marlins players in the tourney.

A much deserved and none too surprising: Anibal Sanchez took home the NL Rookie of the Month honors.

A richly deserved honor.  Sanchez was outstanding down the stretch - allowing only 30 hits in 43 innings with opponents only able to log a .194 batting average against him.  The no-hitter probably didn't hurt his chances either.

Anibal wasn't the only Marlin to receive votes for the award.  In fact, Hanley Ramirez finished second in the balloting.

Congratulations Anibal!

This is an unbelievable crop of rookies.  Yes, I like state to the obvious

Our 1992 expansion draft pick has set a new standard.

His first two saves were for the Marlins.

Therefore we have some contribution to the record, albeit very little.  But some nonetheless.

Congrats Trevor!

If you have some free time during the day, you may want to login and chat with Anibal Sanchez.

Sanchez will be doing a live web chat today at 2:30 p.m.

You should be able to find the details on how to do it here:

Live chat with Anibal

After his last eight starts, and in the vernacular of Dontrelle Willis: the boy deserves some love.  So if you get a chance it might be a fun thing to do.

I probably should have just put the update in the story below but it's Friday and this seemed easier.

Here is the latest.

This adds a little intrigue to the rumor.  It would be one thing if Beinfest and the Dodgers flat out denied it.  It's another when neither party will make a comment.

This is beginning to read like an O. Henry short story without the wonderful writing style. There is probably nothing to this but still it is a weird little tale.

I suppose I should note that the main body of the article is about the stadium deal which may be dead or at least delayed due to all the hurricanes this year and the cost burden they have cause to the County and the City.  Mike, correctly, predicted this in a post earlier and therefore making it old news at FishStripes.

[Update] The Dodgers are going to interview assistant GM Kim Ng for the general manager position. Should Ms. Ng be chosen she will be the first female GM in the history of baseball. She is highly qualified for the position.

I hope she gets the job.