Sunday, January 30, 2005
BIRDS STEAL SAMMY
The Cubs would pay a substantial part of Sosa's $17-million salary this season, the executives said. Sosa would agree to void his salary in 2006.
In exchange, Chicago would receive second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. and at least two prospects. -ESPN radio fantasy focus
HUB TAKE: GREAT DEAL FOR THE ORIOLES, NECESSARY DEAL FOR THE CUBS.
This deal has been ripped by the media, as the twin headed G.M. of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan have been unable to reel in the big free agent catch this offseason, despite having a generous budget from owner Peter Angelos. We like the deal, as the sources tell us that the Cubs will pick up almost $10 million of Sammy's salary in 2005, and his contract will be reworked to make him a free agent after this season. So the Orioles get Sosa for this year for $7 million with no longterm risk; Hairston is a nice little player but is brittle and replaceable. Obviously, the Cubs wanted Sammy out of Chicago almost as much as he wanted to leave. This deal frees up over $20 million for the Cubs in 2006.
The Orioles will be worth catching at Fenway this season, as they now have a formidable offensive lineup that includes Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez, Rafael Palmeiro, and now Slammin' (or Shrinkin' ??) Sammy Sosa.
Unable to acquire pitching-Ponson is out of jail in Aruba and is their arsse...uhm...ace-this team will still battle an improved Tampa Bay to stay out of the A.L. East basement. Expect some of those classic 10-8 Sox wins this season.
Nomarfan1997
