Thoughts on Sosa...

[UICJason]

So, we've all seen the reports that Sammy will be traded to the O's.

Both White Sox and Cubs fans, what do you think?

For me, besides Dusty, Sammy was really the one thing about that team that always kept me from liking them. He really rubbed me the wrong way. I think Hendry needs to make another move to make this all make sense, but it's pretty impressive to get rid of that dope anyway possible.

[Big D]

As a huge Cubs fan, I am glad to see Sammy go. His ego and lack of hitting in the clutch were just killing this team the last two years.

I am somewhat disappointed in the amount of time it took to ship him out, and now I'm also somewhat disappointed in what we get in return and how much of his contract we have to pay this year, but in the long run, much better for the Cubbies.

Of course, if this trade does in fact go through, look for Sammy to hit .290+ and 45+ homers this year.....when it comes to Cubs and curses, one realizes that this is to be expected.

Also, who is going to play outfield for us?....people are speculating Burnitz will be signed instead of Ordonez....Burnitz may be worse than Sammy. I hope the minor leaguers we got are at least decent prospects....

[spike1057]

I find it funny how the trib. company is giving up on the guy who made them so much money for so long. I understand he had his problems but trading him for nothing was a mistake. Now they will pray that Maggs will come to the cubs. Harriston was a bench player in Baltimore and should be a bench player in chicago. So what did the cubs get out of this. Losing a cancer probably, but in reality they show that even if your the biggest draw in the city since MJ you can be cut by the throat asap. I think Baltimore made a great move. Sammy is better off in the AL. playing DH for the next 5 years or so, will really help him out. He never was a good fielder anyways.

So is this trade good for the cubs, only if they can get maggs otherwise it really makes little sence for a team trying to win the world seires. Have fun trying with Hollinsworth, and who evers in left field.

[UICJohn]

View from a Cubs fan.

Sosa is an arrogant ass whose production has been trailing off dramatically, and I thought we got ripped off at first, but looking back, it seems like something both teams will be happy with. The Cubs got rid of an overpriced aging player who isn't producing as much as he should. The only thing I will not like is if Hairston plays 2B. We have Nomar and Todd Walker in our infield. Hairston, if he starts, could play LF. And that is another thing: I only like this move if we get another OF. If healthy, the Cubs should definitely sign Maggs. That is the only way that this all makes sense, and it seems like that could be the case. Right when Maggs is beginning to talk contract with Detroit, the Cubs pull this off seemingly overnight. Could that be a sign? Maybe. Because if it's between Detroit and the Cubs with similiar contract offers, I don't think it's much of a contest.

[EzE]

Yeah, but Sammy "loves to hit da home rooohnn." Too bad he has too big of an ego to help his team. He's the Orioles problem now. But they didn't give up a lot to get him.

[UICJohn]

I was a Sosa fan and he did have a few seasons where he was arguably the most feared hitter in MLB. I would say maybe from 1998-2001? But even then, his strikeouts were high and he wasn't very clutch. Granted, he did hit some big homers, but he also blew alot of rallies. He swings for the fence and its no secret. But like I said, I was a fan of his. With the cork, I tried to look on the bright side, maybe even defend him a little. When there were stories about his bad attitude, I shrugged it off. But when a guy quits on his team, that is it. There is no way, and I mean no way, that Sosa could have come back to the Cubs this year. Not only would the fans of let him have it, but the players don't seem to like him either. I don't know if everyone else heard, but that last game of the year when he walked out, one of the players took a baseball bat to his boombox. Doesn't sound like they like the guy too much.

[UICJohn]

Also, at this past Cubs Convention, at the opening ceremonies, they played a tape with all of the players and coaches highlights of the past season. Of c ourse, all of them received cheers, some louder than others. All of the players, that is, except one. Guess who got booed out of it? Well, yeah, Sammy.