Things like this are why it's so damned tough to be a Cubs fan.
They'll be calling up prospects from the minors... rookie general manager Jim Hendry pointed out when told of Sosa's remarks.
The remarks in question are Sammy Sosa's comments that if the Cubs don't get better next year, he'll exercise a clause in his contract that will make him a free agent, so he can go to a team that's got a better chance of winning a World Series than the Cubbies.
The team's star player, who's hit more than 60 home runs a year three of the past four seasons, who's carried the offense, talks about leaving, and the GM... says... he'll call up... some prospects. Oh, that makes sense. Like Alan Greenspan saying he'll retire, and Dubya saying that's okay, he knows someone who can balance a checkbook....
http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay12.html
Granted, you have to keep in mind the Tribune (who owns the Cubs) and the Sun Times are rival papers in Chicago, but still.... GAH.
Posted by Matt at August 12, 2002 06:56 PMif the cubbies are smart, they'll trade sammy and get some younger prospects.
i know, i know. majority of the offense. 60+ dingers three seasons in a row. good numbers. impressive numbers. /trade-worthy/ numbers.
let's be honest. the cubs have problems at more than just one or two positions. their bullpen sucks ass. their outfield is sammy and fred "tom yemanski's sports drills" mcgriff, who's old enough to retire any day now. the cubs, dare i say it, are no spring chickens.
cut bait. if sammy pulls this crap right before strike talks, get rid of him. yes, chitown fans would be crazy-mad. but, they'd get over it...
Posted by: mithy on August 13, 2002 08:25 AMMcGriff choked early & often at the beginning of the year, but is now on pace to finish with something like 37HR, 120RBI, and bat around .270 . Yeah, he's getting up there, but I'm pretty sure this is the last year of his contract anyway. Next year, Hee Seop Choi (a 6' 5" Korean) comes up from AAA to play 1B. That's covered.
As maligned as he is in the article, I think Hendry's a decent GM. He's made what seemed to be some very good free agent signings (Moises Alou in the offseason looked like a great idea, until Moises pulled the El Choko), and trades (Tavarez & a single-A guy for Antonio Alfonseca & Matt Clement). If he had to trade Sammy (looking to Seattle for inspiration), he probably could get a good deal in return.
But to say, "We'll bring up some rookies."...? In baseball, you need someone to build the offense around. More than one guy is really best. If Sammy leaves... I don't see McGriff as somone you can build around (see: Tampa Bay Devil Rays), and Moises Alou is really a supporting role guy. He's not the superstar whom the other team dreads pitching to. And there's no one in Iowa who comes close to filling that role.
Posted by: Matt on August 13, 2002 08:54 AM