TheFightinPhils
01-28-2005, 05:58 PM
One of the rumors that has percolated during the Hot Stove League is the Washington Nationals trading for Chicago Cubs right-fielder Sammy Sosa.
Nationals general manager Jim Bowden acknowledged the teams have had discussions about the seven-time All-Star. But the chances of Sosa spending spring training in Brevard County are longer than the odds of Washington winning the World Series this year.
"The ingredients, at least on the surface, don't appear to be there for a deal," Bowden said. "But in life, you never know."
The biggest obstacle to a deal between the teams is money.
Since the Nationals are right around the $50 million payroll Major League Baseball has set for the upcoming season, the Cubs would have to pay nearly $40 million just to get rid of the player who is a member of the 500-home run club.
Also, Bowden said he won't give up a top prospect or highly regarded young player to get Sosa, especially since he traded for right fielder Jose Guillen in November.
Erratic behavior and a .233 batting average after the All-Star break last season caused Sosa to fall out of favor in the city he once enjoyed the same popularity as Michael Jordan.
The 1998 National League MVP hit 35 home runs, but drove in just 80 while batting .253. He missed nearly 40 games due to injuries, including a handful after he hurt his back while sneezing.
Sosa turned 36 in November and appears to be past his prime. But if the Cubs simply want to dump him, Bowden will be happy to oblige.
"Certainly we'd have interest in Sammy Sosa because even for just one year if you put him in the middle of the lineup with Guillen and (Brad) Wilkerson and (Vinny) Castilla you're going to score runs," Bowden said. "And you're going to get Guillen and Wilkerson better pitches to hit."
If Sosa is dealt, New York looks like the most likely destination.
Carlos Delgado recently spurned the Mets and several other teams when he signed with the Marlins, and New York still may be shopping for another bat to add to the middle of the lineup.
The Mets could absorb a significant part of the $39.5 million Sosa will be owed if he is traded, and he and first-year New York general manager Omar Minaya are close friends.
Adam Katz, Sosa's agent, doesn't anticipate the slugger getting traded to the Nationals or the Mets.
"Too many things would have to happen," Katz said of Sosa ending up in Washington. "I expect Sammy to play right field for the Cubs this year."
http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryS0128BOWDENSIDE0.htm
Nationals general manager Jim Bowden acknowledged the teams have had discussions about the seven-time All-Star. But the chances of Sosa spending spring training in Brevard County are longer than the odds of Washington winning the World Series this year.
"The ingredients, at least on the surface, don't appear to be there for a deal," Bowden said. "But in life, you never know."
The biggest obstacle to a deal between the teams is money.
Since the Nationals are right around the $50 million payroll Major League Baseball has set for the upcoming season, the Cubs would have to pay nearly $40 million just to get rid of the player who is a member of the 500-home run club.
Also, Bowden said he won't give up a top prospect or highly regarded young player to get Sosa, especially since he traded for right fielder Jose Guillen in November.
Erratic behavior and a .233 batting average after the All-Star break last season caused Sosa to fall out of favor in the city he once enjoyed the same popularity as Michael Jordan.
The 1998 National League MVP hit 35 home runs, but drove in just 80 while batting .253. He missed nearly 40 games due to injuries, including a handful after he hurt his back while sneezing.
Sosa turned 36 in November and appears to be past his prime. But if the Cubs simply want to dump him, Bowden will be happy to oblige.
"Certainly we'd have interest in Sammy Sosa because even for just one year if you put him in the middle of the lineup with Guillen and (Brad) Wilkerson and (Vinny) Castilla you're going to score runs," Bowden said. "And you're going to get Guillen and Wilkerson better pitches to hit."
If Sosa is dealt, New York looks like the most likely destination.
Carlos Delgado recently spurned the Mets and several other teams when he signed with the Marlins, and New York still may be shopping for another bat to add to the middle of the lineup.
The Mets could absorb a significant part of the $39.5 million Sosa will be owed if he is traded, and he and first-year New York general manager Omar Minaya are close friends.
Adam Katz, Sosa's agent, doesn't anticipate the slugger getting traded to the Nationals or the Mets.
"Too many things would have to happen," Katz said of Sosa ending up in Washington. "I expect Sammy to play right field for the Cubs this year."
http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryS0128BOWDENSIDE0.htm