Posse81
January-13th-2005, 03:48 PM
http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub13.html
Nationals still open to Sosa
January 13, 2005
BY MIKE KILEY Staff Reporter
The Washington Nationals continue to be intrigued by the possibility of trading for Sammy Sosa. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden has been in contact this week with Cubs GM Jim Hendry, exploring ways that Sosa could wind up in the nation's capital.
Word out of the Nationals' camp last month was that they would consider dealing for Sosa only if the Cubs paid his entire 2005 commitment: a $17 million salary and a $4.5 million buyout for 2006. But Bowden has altered that stance after the Cubs told him at the winter meetings that they wouldn't accept the entire financial burden and weren't interested in dumping Sosa at any cost.
Bowden and Hendry have a long way to go to complete a deal. The Nationals, however, are an intriguing alternative for Sosa. The former Montreal Expos franchise could use his charismatic personality as baseball attempts to regain a foothold in Washington.
The New York Mets probably remain Sosa's preferred destination. But Washington should have some allure for him, as well, putting him among the movers and shakers in politics whom he met so often in the late 1990s when he and Mark McGwire were reviving excitement for the game.
If Hendry and Bowden can find common ground, the key element will be how much Sosa is willing to accept for his 2006 salary. While Sosa's contract with the Cubs guarantees an $18million salary if he is traded, that figure can be negotiated. Agent Adam Katz is believed to have told clubs that Sosa would not play for less than $10 million in 2006.
If Sosa really doesn't want to return for another year under Cubs manager Dusty Baker, he can help broker his exit by lowering his financial demands. He would be more attractive to other clubs at $8million for 2006.
Nationals still open to Sosa
January 13, 2005
BY MIKE KILEY Staff Reporter
The Washington Nationals continue to be intrigued by the possibility of trading for Sammy Sosa. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden has been in contact this week with Cubs GM Jim Hendry, exploring ways that Sosa could wind up in the nation's capital.
Word out of the Nationals' camp last month was that they would consider dealing for Sosa only if the Cubs paid his entire 2005 commitment: a $17 million salary and a $4.5 million buyout for 2006. But Bowden has altered that stance after the Cubs told him at the winter meetings that they wouldn't accept the entire financial burden and weren't interested in dumping Sosa at any cost.
Bowden and Hendry have a long way to go to complete a deal. The Nationals, however, are an intriguing alternative for Sosa. The former Montreal Expos franchise could use his charismatic personality as baseball attempts to regain a foothold in Washington.
The New York Mets probably remain Sosa's preferred destination. But Washington should have some allure for him, as well, putting him among the movers and shakers in politics whom he met so often in the late 1990s when he and Mark McGwire were reviving excitement for the game.
If Hendry and Bowden can find common ground, the key element will be how much Sosa is willing to accept for his 2006 salary. While Sosa's contract with the Cubs guarantees an $18million salary if he is traded, that figure can be negotiated. Agent Adam Katz is believed to have told clubs that Sosa would not play for less than $10 million in 2006.
If Sosa really doesn't want to return for another year under Cubs manager Dusty Baker, he can help broker his exit by lowering his financial demands. He would be more attractive to other clubs at $8million for 2006.