So, does Sosa retire after this year?

[ToupeeOnFire]

Here is something to consider...

 

Neifi Neftali Perez: .269/.293/385 (.678 OPS)

Samuel Peralta Sosa: .225/.303/.392 (.695 OPS)

 

Sosa is only 12 home runs away from 600, but it seems like an impossible task at this point that he can achieve that milestone this year (the odds are much better that he'll be DFA'd).

 

You know deep down inside that Sammy desperately wants to become only the 5th player in baseball history to hit 600 career home runs before he hangs it up, but it's doubtful he'll accomplish it in an Oriole uniform. Instead he'll face the ignominy of facing a none-too-eager free agent market where he'll end up signing for peanuts with some desperate AL club looking for a name (Kansas City Royals?) or a team that will not guarantee him a starting job, nor a roster spot for that matter.

 

So does Sammy, realizing that his skills have diminished to the point of no return, bow out gracefully? Or does he hang on, possibly risking further humiliation, to achieve his career milestone?

Edited August 15, 2005 by ToupeeOnFire

[erik316wttn]

Tough call, really.

 

I think Sammy knows his career is right at the end. He knows he'd be wise to walk away.

 

But then again, having 35,000 people chant your name and cheer your every move on a regular basis has to be pretty addictive. I don't say I'd blame him if he tried to reclaim just a bit of that.

 

But IMO he should retire. Hang 'em up, Sammy. You've had a great career and I look forward to seeing another Cubs hat in Cooperstown.

[ToupeeOnFire]

Tough call, really.

But then again, having 35,000 people chant your name and cheer your every move on a regular basis has to be pretty addictive. I don't say I'd blame him if he tried to reclaim just a bit of that.

 

The problem is, that isn't happening at the moment. He's been getting booed on a regular basis, and you know that has got to rankle.

[sonofsamiam]

Actually, KC sounds like a good fit. It's a great hitters park, there wouldn't be much pressure to win, and management would love a marquee name to bring in fans. They probably wouldn't pay much for that marquee name, though.

 

I think Sosa will stay in the league to get his 600 HRs, no question, and in fact will likely stick around as long as Mays, et al are still in sight and any team is willing to sign him.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Actually, KC sounds like a good fit. It's a great hitters park, there wouldn't be much pressure to win, and management would love a marquee name to bring in fans. They probably wouldn't pay much for that marquee name, though.

 

I think Sosa will stay in the league to get his 600 HRs, no question, and in fact will likely stick around as long as Mays, et al are still in sight and any team is willing to sign him.

 

I agree KC is a good fit, but they moved the fences back prior to last season, making it more of a pitcher's park than a hitter's haven.

[erik316wttn]

Tough call, really.

But then again, having 35,000 people chant your name and cheer your every move on a regular basis has to be pretty addictive. I don't say I'd blame him if he tried to reclaim just a bit of that.

 

The problem is, that isn't happening at the moment. He's been getting booed on a regular basis, and you know that has got to rankle.

 

I was talking about when he was with the Cubs, and his desire to reclaim it.

[frostwyrm]

He'll quit. His ego won't let him accept the puny contract offers he'll get. He already has adequate HOF credentials anyway.

[cubbieinexile]

I say he plays at least one more season. Somebody out there will give him an IRod or JuanGOn type one year contract worth several million dollars. Perhaps Tampa Bay or Texas. Sammy should probably stay out of the NL but I could see Washington giving him a one year contract.

[AAApittsburgh]

He could be the Cubs 4th OF next season. :wink:

[JoshiQ]

What's the over-under on his contract? Would he get 5 million for a year or am I way off base?

[erik316wttn]

I'd love to see Sammy in Wrigley one last time, as a final goodbye.

 

People would probably boo him out of the park, but I'd give him a standing ovation.

[frostwyrm]

What's the over-under on his contract? Would he get 5 million for a year or am I way off base?

 

I'd guess about 2M. Possibly 3M, but not likely. And of course he won't get any more multi-year offers.

[JoshiQ]

What's the over-under on his contract? Would he get 5 million for a year or am I way off base?

 

I'd guess about 2M. Possibly 3M, but not likely. And of course he won't get any more multi-year offers.

 

In that case, I really think the Royals should offer him 2.5 for a year ... Their attendance is down and nobody in the state of Kansas cares about the team much any more. I might make the trip to the stadium if Sosa were playing. Sure, he isn't even a shell of what he once was, but I'd love to see my first Sosa homer live.

[Backtobanks]

He could be next year's Fred McGriff. Somebody might offer him a contract just for the 600 homer attraction.

[clarkaddison]

Is Jeff Pentland still the hitting coach in KC? If so, that would be an incentive for Sammy to give the Royals a big hometown discount. Hopefully he hasn't squandered all his $$$ and will play for pride and 600 homers rather than demanding lots of dollars.

[Bull]

What's the over-under on his contract? Would he get 5 million for a year or am I way off base?

 

I'd guess about 2M. Possibly 3M, but not likely. And of course he won't get any more multi-year offers.

 

In that case, I really think the Royals should offer him 2.5 for a year ... Their attendance is down and nobody in the state of Kansas cares about the team much any more. I might make the trip to the stadium if Sosa were playing. Sure, he isn't even a shell of what he once was, but I'd love to see my first Sosa homer live.

I think he'd get 5+ from an AL team.

[biittner77]

Last year Sosa was saying he wanted to play 3-4 more seasons. I'd be very surprised if he did retire. Someone will sign him. I'm sure he thinks his lack of success this year is due to the injuries and to changing leagues.

 

At this point another bad season (or half season if he's really bad) won't hurt his legacy too much. If he does have a resurgent year then people will maybe not remember the corked bat as much.

[ToupeeOnFire]

Is Jeff Pentland still the hitting coach in KC? If so, that would be an incentive for Sammy to give the Royals a big hometown discount. Hopefully he hasn't squandered all his $$$ and will play for pride and 600 homers rather than demanding lots of dollars.

 

No.

 

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/11775974.htm

[BigbadB]

I think there will be a lot of team interested in his services. The 600 HR plateau is one that could fill seats by itself. I think there are a lot of teams that would take the chance that he could put together another decent productive season. Pittsburgh, Colorado, Washington are some of the teams that come to mind in the NL.

 

I don't see Sammy giving up yet. His ego is too huge to think his career is over. I haven't paid any attention to what he's doing in Baltimore. It's possible that if he made some adjustments at the plate that he might be able to improve his offensive production.

[frostwyrm]

What's the over-under on his contract? Would he get 5 million for a year or am I way off base?

 

I'd guess about 2M. Possibly 3M, but not likely. And of course he won't get any more multi-year offers.

 

In that case, I really think the Royals should offer him 2.5 for a year ... Their attendance is down and nobody in the state of Kansas cares about the team much any more. I might make the trip to the stadium if Sosa were playing. Sure, he isn't even a shell of what he once was, but I'd love to see my first Sosa homer live.

I think he'd get 5+ from an AL team.

 

5+? I doubt it. Even if Sosa rebounds the best you can realistically hope for is an OPS in the high .700's, maybe .800, and that's a big if. I wouldn't pay 5M for that, unless he learns to play shortstop.

[chopsx9]

I'll agree I think he gets more than 3mil, 5 seems about right for a guess maybe more if he finishes strong. It wouldn't be a huge streach to see a team give him more; approaching 600 and all. Whether he's actually worth it or not at this stage is a different discussion.

[clarkaddison]

I've watched him in about 3 games this season. He still stands a long way from the plate, at the far end of the batter's box. I can't recall another hitter standing so far away.

 

Sammy's decline can be traced back to the beaning by Salmon Torres. His resulting slump led directly to the corked bat, and it's been a slippery downhill slope ever since.

 

He's done.

[Omar]

I think he should sign with the Rockies. They've never really had a REAL slugger before. Coors field would be just the right park for him to get better offensively.

[Garwilly]

I've watched him in about 3 games this season. He still stands a long way from the plate, at the far end of the batter's box. I can't recall another hitter standing so far away.

 

Sammy's decline can be traced back to the beaning by Salmon Torres. His resulting slump led directly to the corked bat, and it's been a slippery downhill slope ever since.

 

He's done.

 

I believe he had a good week immediately following the beaning.....then he took a turn down. If that is the case, you cannot attribute the slump to Torres.

[Bruno7481]

I think he should sign with the Rockies. They've never really had a REAL slugger before. Coors field would be just the right park for him to get better offensively.

 

Todd Helton "the Fake slugger".