'Tis the season to be signing

The Giants today inked four of their core players from this past season, keeping the quartet on board for the 2005 campaign: outfielder Marquis Grissom, who had his second-best-ever season with the G-Men at age 37; first baseman J.T. Snow, who barreled back from knee surgery and hit like a house afire the last half of the season; starting pitcher Brett Tomko, who began the year shaky but finished solid; and shortstop Deivi Cruz, who pushed Neifi Perez off the roster at mid-year.

Good moves all. Grissom is indispensible as a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. Tomko, once he got on track, helped steady the rotation behind Jason Schmidt. Cruz was a fine pickup, though I wonder whether playing everyday on a longterm basis is realistic for him.

And Snow...anyone who's heard me talk about the Giants over the past several years knows how mercilessly I've ripped Jater at times for his occasionally pitiful offensive production. It was nice to see him get the bat in gear this season. He's still one of the great defensive first sackers in the history of the game.

This was pleasant news on an otherwise sour post-Election day.