Cubs close in on trading Sosa to O’s (ESPN)
Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa will be traded to the Baltimore Orioles for infielder Jerry Hairston and at least two minor-leaguers, pending physicals and approval from commissioner Bud Selig and the players’ association. An Orioles source told ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian that the only way the trade will not happen is if someone fails a physical.
A source told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick the Cubs will be responsible for about $10 million of Sosa’s $17 million contract in 2005. The Associated Press reported sources said Sosa would agree to void his salary in 2006. Sosa’s contract gives the Cubs an $18 million option in 2006 with a $4.5 million buyout. But the contract says that if he is traded, his 2006 salary would become guaranteed and a 2007 club option would be added at $19 million with a $4.5 million buyout. The players’ association had told Sosa’s agent, Adam Katz, several weeks ago that voiding the option would not be a problem.
Sosa trade rumors have been floating for some time now, with his ridiculously high salary the major obstacle. Why Sosa would agree to go to the lowly Orioles is beyond me, let alone why the Cubs would be willing to pay $10 million not to have Sosa around. Indeed, from a pure “baseball” standpoint, I’m not sure why the Orioles would pay $7 million for prima donna no-field outfielder who is not even a shadow of his former self. From a business standpoint, it makes sense, though as Sosa is probably worth $7 million in publicity. Of course, he’d be worth that to the Cubs, too….
Jeff Quinton and David Pinto (here and here) have more.
