Sammy Sosa Traded to Baltimore

[Banter 0]

Sosa Bound For Baltimore

 

Sammy Sosa will take his next swings in Baltimore, reports ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Chicago has agreed to trade the unhappy slugger to the O's in exchange for Jerry Hariston Jr., and two prospects.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Let's move our discussion to this thread. It seems appropriate.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I can't wait to hear this.

 

Well not from Tim Kurkjian. His voice makes me cry.'

 

But the news. I can't wait to hear the news.

[Banter 0]

Sorry guys, I didn't realize this was already being discussed...

 

Delete plz~!!

[Bored 0]

Mora, Tejada, Sosa, Lopez is one impressive 2 thur 5.

 

But then you look at the starting pitching and the rest of that line-up...why even bother?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

No no, I was going to suggest giving this its own topic anyway.

[The Czech Republic 0]

So the Cubs now have Aramis Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Todd Walker, and Derrek Lee, with Michael Barrett behind the plate and Jerry Hairston Jr somewhere. But man, it's lonely out there by the ivy.

[Guest OSIcon]

But then you look at the starting pitching and the rest of that line-up...why even bother?

 

I'm obviously not going to disagree with the starting pitching. As for the rest of the line up, it really isn't that bad.

 

Brian Roberts was a more than solid lead off hitter, with 50+ doubles last season. Larry Bigbie struggled early on but had a strong second half, hitting over .300. Palmeiro had a strong second half also. His September, when he was allowed to rest more at DH, was especially strong. He's definitely declining, but is still good for something offensively. If Newhan can show that last season wasn't a fluke, he'll be one of the better bench players/spot starters out there.

 

Of course, all that means very little if the pitching staff doesn't improve on last season's effort.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Hairston can play the OF..

 

Of Hairston/Roberts, Im glad they are dealing Hairston. As much as everyone seems to be all over him, I really like Brian Roberts better at 2B.

 

Julio could go too...I really liked him when he first came up, but he's been a big disapointment and probably won't stay the closer much longer in Baltimore anyway.

 

I can't believe the Cubs don't want more than Hairston and 2 prospects for Sosa, which should be like a huge red warning flag..

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I can't believe the Cubs don't want more than Hairston and 2 prospects for Sosa, which should be like a huge red warning flag..

Well Sosa would be coming in with a lot of baggage. Not to mention his contract doesnt look too attractive to many teams.

[The Czech Republic 0]

So who is the captain of the Cubs now? I'd assume Kerry Wood, if anyone.

[Precious Roy 0]

Who's the Orioles fan who was lamenting their lack of moves? Somehow I doubt this is what he was looking for

 

I'm kind of shocked by the whole thing, I never thought I'd see Jerry Hairston play for another team

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

At least he'd be coming home, considering he's a native Chicagoan (and I use that term LOOSELY)

[Bored 0]

I'm kind of shocked by the whole thing, I never thought I'd see Jerry Hairston play for another team

Ya it's like seeing Willie Mays with the Mets...

[Vern Gagne 0]

So who is the captain of the Cubs now? I'd assume Kerry Wood, if anyone.

Jonas Grumby would of been a better choice than Sammy Sosa.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Who's the Orioles fan who was lamenting their lack of moves? Somehow I doubt this is what he was looking for

 

I'm kind of shocked by the whole thing, I never thought I'd see Jerry Hairston play for another team

I was the one going "wild" over their "moves" so far.

 

And I had heard that the Os were interested in Sosa, BUT I really didn't think that anything would come of it.

[Styles 0]

I froze

 

Jury is out, but if this is all they gave up and most of his contract picked up there's little downside to this move.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Well until Sosa decides he's had enough and leaves the team in middle of a hot game vs Yankees or Red Sox that could decide their postseason hopes.... call me crazy, but I wouldn't want Sosa on my team (not even the Sosa that had just popped 60+ homers for three straight years).

[The Czech Republic 0]

So let's look at the Cubs Controversy Casualties.

 

Sammy Sosa

Moises Alou

Kent Mercker

Mark Grudzielanek

Steve Stone

Chip Caray

[The Czech Republic 0]

Au contraire!

 

CHICAGO -- As of now, the Cubs still expect Sammy Sosa to be their right fielder. That could change.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry denied a report that Sosa was to be traded to the Baltimore Orioles. However, the Cubs did have serious discussions with a few teams on Friday regarding Sosa.

 

"There's no deal in place," Hendry said Friday night when asked about a WGN Radio report that the Cubs were to trade Sosa to the Orioles.

 

WGN Radio and The Asscoiated Press reported Sosa would have to pass a physical and waive his no-trade clause. According to WGN Radio, the Cubs would receive infielder Jerry Hairston, pitcher Jorge Julio and two minor-leaguers in return.

 

Sosa batted .253 in 2004, his lowest average since 1997. He hit 35 home runs and 80 RBIs in 126 games, missing one month because of sneeze-induced back spasms. He also was bothered by a sore shoulder and hip.

 

The year ended on a sour note when Sosa left the last game of the season early and without dressing in uniform. He was fined one day's salary, $87,400, for his premature exit.

 

He was to be paid $17 million this year, and the Cubs have an $18 million option for 2006 with a $4.5 million buyout. If Sosa is traded, his 2006 salary becomes guaranteed.

 

Hendry did talk to teams during the Winter Meetings in December regarding a possible deal for the seven-time All-Star outfielder, including the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals.

 

"I think he will be traded, and I think Sammy will be one of the best pickups of the entire offseason," Sosa's agent, Tom Reich, told The Sporting News. "He deserves better than this. He's determined, absolutely determined, determined to remind people he has a lot of productive time left."

 

Sosa has not talked to Hendry or Cubs manager Dusty Baker this offseason.

 

"If he's back, I'll be there with open arms, and 'C'mon, Sammy, let's go,'" Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra said. "He's a tremendous talent. If he's not with us, because he's such a great person, I'll pat him on the back and wish him well."

 

Baker said Sosa's situation was the "No. 1 question" he's gotten all offseason. Shortly after the regular season ended, Sosa said he was upset at being blamed for the Cubs not getting to the postseason and insulted at being dropped in the order. However, when Sosa was dropped to fifth, it was at his suggestion.

 

"Maybe there's something that happened that I didn't realize happened," Baker said last weekend during the Cubs Convention. "You know how people can stir things up and people can say things that really may not be true."

 

Sosa, 36, enters the 2005 season with 574 career home runs.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc...s_chc&fext=.jsp

 

ugly hat

[Matt Young 0]

I can't wait to hear this.

 

Well not from Tim Kurkjian. His voice makes me cry.'

 

But the news. I can't wait to hear the news.

What he said. I've been a fan of Sosa in the past, but everyone knows abou his problems from the past few seasons.

 

If he is indeed gone, whatever run production the Cubs lose will be made up for by the much improved morale in the clubhouse.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Not if they dont find a suitable replacement.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I agree that this move is being made more for the morale factor of the team, rather than the production element. However, I do think that they've gotta go out and find some sort of suitable replacement for him, otherwise, the Cubs have given up 75 homers, countless RBIs, and both corners of their outfield. We've got the Hollandsworth/ Dubois platoon, but who's gonna be playing right field, Jose Macias?

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

my thoughs are as follows: if they dump Sosa for nothing and replace him with Burnitz, I will laugh for several minutes.

[UZI Suicide 0]

There isn't much of a difference between Sosa and Burnitz at this point in their careers.

[2GOLD 0]

Hairston would give the Cubs speed and Jorge Julio would give them added depth in the bullpen. Not to mention Julio has experience at the closer position, which the Cubs have been begging for.

 

Hairston can step into left while right goes to Hollandsworth I guess. Not crazy about the outfield but having someone who can MOVE on the base path is a plus.

 

Meanwhile, the Orioles get the extra bat they wanted but I don't like the fact they gave up anyone from the bullpen. If Sammy can actually go back to being Sammy and not the angry pissed off bad swinging outfield he was for the Cubs last season then the Orioles might make out like bandits.

 

I think the move works fine for both teams. It addresses the Cubs needs (speed and bullpen) and it addresses one of the Orioles needs (big bat).

 

If it happens, I'm fine with it.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Now we need to concentrate on Aubrey Huff to recoup some of that slugging, because we lost about 35% of our offense with the departures of Sosa and Alou. Getting them out should increase morale, but will it increase morale enough among the remaining players to totally compensate? I fear not. That's why the Cubs can't be done just yet.

[Guest OSIcon]

ESPN is reporting that the Cubs will pay 10 million of Sosa's 17 million dollar 2005 salary. Apparently, there also won't be a problem in voiding Sosa's contract that calls for a guaranteed 18 million in 2006 and a 19 million dollar option for 2007 if he were to be traded.

 

I got to agree that this looks like a decent move for both teams. The Orioles really aren't putting themselves in a position to take a huge hit if Sosa winds up like another Albert Belle. The Cubs are losing out on some offense, but getting Aubrey Huff would take care of that. Plus there is the morale thing. Sosa should fit in well in Baltimore with Tejada there.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Hairston would give the Cubs speed and Jorge Julio would give them added depth in the bullpen. Not to mention Julio has experience at the closer position, which the Cubs have been begging for.

 

First off, Julio's not part of the trade. Second, let's not kid ourselves here about Julio's closing ability. He's had ERAs of 4.38, and 4.57 the last two seasons. He gave up 21 home runs in 130 innings over that span. Just because he was the only good reliever in an awful bullpen* does not make him any more suited for a job than LaTroy Hawkins.

 

*Except B.J. Ryan, of course.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

So Al, thoughts on the trade? I don't think I've seen a full analysis of the deal from you, although it'd be tough to do without full knowledge of all the players involved.