Sosa's agent, Adam Katz is expected to appeal the penalty to baseball, arguing the amount of the fine was out of proportion with the transgression, according to The Chicago Tribune.
Has Adam Katz just argued himself into a corner of admitting that Sosa's salary is too high? You miss a game, you miss a game check -- yet one game check is too much.
Man, I hope we can get rid of him (and I never thought I'd say that).
For those that don't know, Sosa was fined a game check for leaving Wrigley Field 15 minutes after the game started and never dressing out. That game check was equivalant to $87,400.
I almost forgot about that. The Cubs would have to take on the perpetually injured Mark Sweeney, pay him 12.5 million over the next three years to sit on the bench/disabled list behind Derrick Lee. I think I'll pass.
There is also talks of the Rangers being interested in trading for Sosa. The Cubs would get Soriano and Chan Ho Park. The interesting thing here is that taking on Park could entice agent Scott Boras to steer Carlos Beltran towards the Windy City.
I've also seen that the Mets are interested, and that talks with them would involve Cliff Floyd or Piazza. I really don't have much use for Piazza, he's an injury risk and a liability at catcher, and there's no room for him at first. Cliff Floyd is intriguing though. He's a lefty power hitter from the Chicago area. He too is injury prone, but, he's significantly cheaper than anyone else that has been mentioned. (6.5 million over the next two years.)
There is also speculation that Colorado is interested. They'd be offereing up Preston Wilson and Denny Neagle. I like Wilson, but he gets hurt more than just about anyone on this list, his 2003 season notwithstanding. Plus, his great 2003 year was a product of playing in Coors, so I'd be wary of adding him on and expecting to get my money's worth out of him.
What would Sosa-for-Sweeney even accomplish for either team? Sosa might help draw for the Royals, but Mike Sweeney is a big local favorite. And Sweeney can't DH for the Cubs and his fielding isn't that strong unless he goes back to catching.
Originally posted by SlipperyPeteWhat would Sosa-for-Sweeney even accomplish for either team?
Depending on how much of his salary Tribune has to pay, getting Sosa out of that clubhouse (along with Alou, his pee, and his whiny attitude) is step one towards getting back to postseason play. You could replace him with a mule, and as long as the Cubs add another bat somewhere or Aramis continues to mature (he might even be a legit candiate for the Aaron Award someday) and you'd have an improvement. The Texas trade is loads better, though, especially if the Beltran signing occurs as rumored.
As for KC, it'll be his team so he'll be happy. If he does revert to 2003 or earlier form, he'll draw big, and who cares about his attitude in the clubhouse if the Royals aren't contending?
Wait a minute. The O's are players? When did that happen? When do the signings start? That truly is the start of another season of hoping, praying, watching, cheering, cursing, crying and contemplating suicide. Ah, the life of a BoSox fan. :)
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