Phuck the Cubs Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 So the Washington Nationals are getting impatient waiting for a reply from Sammy Sosa? There's a surprise. Perhaps Nationals general manager Jim Bowden doesn't know that in Sosa's universe spring training generally begins about March 1, or whenever the great man decides he's ready for it to begin. Imagine Sosa's bewilderment after a winter in which no team ponied up for his services. According to Enrique Rojas, a reporter for ESPNdeportes.com, Sosa is so discouraged he's considering walking away from baseball rather than accepting the Nationals' offer of a non-guaranteed one-year deal at $500,000. It's easy to imagine the future Sosa in the role of the embittered Jose Canseco, groaning about being "blackballed" from baseball rather than taking accountability for allowing his gifts to slip away. Canseco's gifts were enhanced via syringe. He was barely even a standout as a high school player in Florida. But Sosa was a great prospect before he became a power hitter. So regardless of whether he once did steroids, he shouldn't have become irrelevant simply because urinalysis now is a must for ballplayers. With camp about to start, Bowden wants a reply to his offer.But despite appearances, Sosa's choices haven't come down to the Nationals or retirement. There's Japan, where he would have a chance to re-establish some credibility before returning to the big leagues at 38. There's also the World Baseball Classic. Why couldn't Sosa do as Roger Clemens is doing—use the new international tournament to audition for scouts and evaluate his options? If Sosa has enough skill left to be genuinely insulted at the Nationals' take-it-or-leave-it offer, he could put it on display while honoring the Dominican Republic with his presence. No, he wouldn't be a star in a lineup that could include Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, Miguel Tejada, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. And given Sosa's performance in Baltimore last season (.221, 14 homers, 45 RBIs in 102 games), he would be hard-pressed to earn a spot in an outfield that could include Guerrero, Ramirez, Moises Alou, Willy Taveras, Wily Mo Pena, Jose Guillen and Juan Encarnacion, among others. But the man must have some political capital built up with his Dominican friends. This would be a great time for him to use it. He shouldn't be too big to ask for a spot on the team. Even if Sosa isn't a regular for Dominican manager Manny Acta—and with Ortiz as the designated hitter he wouldn't be—he shouldn't be embarrassed. Clemens, one of a handful of greatest pitchers ever, says the WBC will be a worthwhile experience if he pitches only one inning. The goal for Sosa should be to find a way to contribute—think late-inning pinch hits—and help his country past Cuba and Venezuela in the tough second round and the United States and Japan (probably) in the finals. Scouts will be watching closely during the team's four-day camp in Kissimmee, Fla., and, after games begin, during batting practice. If Sosa were to look better than he did in 2005, he would get a 2006 contract with someone when camp is over. Other teams, possibly including the Yankees, are watching to see what happens with Sosa and the Nationals. Hoy newspaper in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, reported that Alex Rodriguez visited Sosa in Miami last weekend. It's unclear whether Rodriguez was being social or doing legwork for Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who could use Sosa as part of a DH platoon with switch-hitter Bernie Williams (always stronger batting left-handed than right-handed). For any of this to happen, Sosa has to embrace the WBC, and thus far he has not. Sosa is on the Dominican's provisional 60-man roster. He was placed there by the country's federation, even though he did not return the paperwork. The final 30-man rosters aren't due until March 2, five days before the Dominicans open against the rival Venezuelans in Pool D, which also includes Italy and Australia. Players in the WBC will be tested for steroids and performance-enhancing drugs using Olympic standards, which are stronger than even MLB's strengthened program. Is that why Sosa has kept the WBC at arm's length, or does he simply think he would rather spend a full spring with any team that signs him? No matter how he does it, Sosa will have to fight if he's going to continue his career. It would be nice to see him do it in a Dominican uniform—and, hey, Sammy, then you could skip all but the last 10 days of spring training. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...cs-cubs-utility Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 So regardless of whether he once did steroids, he shouldn't have become irrelevant simply because urinalysis now is a must for ballplayers. Yes he should. Not many teams will be willing to take a risk on a past steroid user whose career has plummeted annually since 2002. If he were still producing, I believe a team would take a chance. But since he likely won't, it's more difficult to ignore the steroid cloud above his head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 I agree, the best way for Sammy to kickstart his career again would be to go up against the best players in the world and prove himself against the best pitching you're ever going to see. Yeah him going 0 for 20 with 18 strikeouts would really get teams interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakyusox Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 The steroids have officially gone to Sammy Sosa's ego. He should retire. After the Cubs got a hold of him and told him to go on the "Flinstones soft chews" program it was all downhill. He is a disgrace to me, White Sox fans, Texas Ranger fans, Oriole fans. Ironically the cub fans still love him. Shame on you Sammy. Way to think of the kids out there who still-kinda respect you. Betcha he's still pissed at the cubs for ruining his career. :puke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Just so no Sosa, retire and hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phuck the Cubs Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 The steroids have officially gone to Sammy Sosa's ego. He should retire. After the Cubs got a hold of him and told him to go on the "Flinstones soft chews" program it was all downhill. He is a disgrace to me, White Sox fans, Texas Ranger fans, Oriole fans. Ironically the cub fans still love him. Shame on you Sammy. Way to think of the kids out there who still-kinda respect you. Betcha he's still pissed at the cubs for ruining his career. :puke <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's about 50-50 on that. SOme like him, some hate him. I read their MB all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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