Sosa and Larkin

PennSkinsFan · #1 01-14-2005, 08:14 AM

According to the Post, the Nats are still in pursuit of possible trade to Chicago for OF Sammy Sosa. Sosa is 36 years old and had a drop off in production last season, hitting .253 with 35 HRs. If a deal is possible, two thing would need to happen. One, the Nats would likely have to part with [prospect OF Termell Sledge. Second, the Players Association woudl have to waive a clause in Sosa's current contract that would pay out $18 million in 2006, a price that Nats would not agree to.

Sledge hit .269 last season with 15 HRs and 62 RBI's witha .462 slugging percentage.

Nats are also in pursuit of SS Barry Larkin again. Larkin is 41 and has a long hisotry with Nats GM Jim Bowden, in Cincy. Bowden is hoping to bring in Larkin in a utility role and provide stable veteran leadership.

At this point, my feelings, the Nats are gonna suck this year, we know that, and we eagerly await new onwership, but, iMO, stick it out with the youth, bring in Larkin for veteran presence along with Cordero, but leave Sosa out of it. Sosa is past his prime, production is dropping, and he will eat alot of salary. Let's just plow forward, await new ownership before making big investments.

redskin_rich · #2 01-14-2005, 08:32 AM

I agree with you, PSF.
I don't know much about Sledge but it sounds like he could become very good. I think Sosa is declining rapidly.

In Montreal this team had a good farm system, were all or most of the scouts retained?

PennSkinsFan · #3 01-14-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

I agree with you, PSF.
I don't know much about Sledge but it sounds like he could become very good. I think Sosa is declining rapidly.

In Montreal this team had a good farm system, were all or most of the scouts retained?

Montreal HAD a good farm system, but that has been depleted over the past two years because of financial hardship. The team has to be rebuilt by new onwership from scratch.

redskin_rich · #4 01-14-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

Montreal HAD a good farm system, but that has been depleted over the past two years because of financial hardship. The team has to be rebuilt by new onwership from scratch.

Until we have new ownership, do you think Bowden can do a good job?

bfauble83 · #5 01-14-2005, 08:51 AM

I'm fine with Larkin, but we don't need Sammy. He won't help us that much and we will be giving up younger talent and paying him much more than the younger, more productive guys would be.

PennSkinsFan · #6 01-14-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

Until we have new ownership, do you think Bowden can do a good job?

I don't think you can put any blame on Bowden if the Nats do as poorly as expected. He had a $50 mil buidget, only $6 mil left, and MLB is not flexible on that figure, so in essence, his hands were tied. We could not seriously go after a top pitcher because of financial budget constraints due to not having real ownership yet.

bfauble83 · #7 01-14-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

I don't think you can put any blame on Bowden if the Nats do as poorly as expected. He had a $50 mil buidget, only $6 mil left, and MLB is not flexible on that figure, so in essence, his hands were tied. We could not seriously go after a top pitcher because of financial budget constraints due to not having real ownership yet.

I think he has done well with what he had to work with. We got Castilla, Guzman, and Guillen. Plus we could get Loazia, who isn't great, but would help.

Spence · #8 01-14-2005, 09:34 AM

I don't want Sosa anywhere near this team and I hope his outrageous salary will make it impossible. Larkin is a quality pick-up. He's too old to be an everyday infielder, but he can still hit and his range is good enough to be a spot shortstop and play more second base. Larkin is a first class guy in the clubhouse. I hate to see him leave Cincy, but if he does, I hope he comes to Washington. Larkin is one of the great players of his generation and has forgotten more about baseball than most players will ever know.

Spence · #9 01-14-2005, 09:35 AM

Jim Bowden did a very good job as GM of Cincy, keeping a small market team about as competitive as could be expected. As a Reds fan I followed Bowden very closely and the Nats are lucky to have him. Whenever the ownership shows up they would do well to retain his services.

SkinsKY · #10 01-14-2005, 10:07 AM

No Sosa please. Larkin would be okay. Let's not be spitting out money until we have an owner.

BRAVEONAWARPATH · #11 01-14-2005, 11:32 AM

Have any of you seen Sledge play? There is absolutely no
way I would trade him for an aging Sosa.

bfauble83 · #12 01-14-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAVEONAWARPATH

Have any of you seen Sledge play? There is absolutely no
way I would trade him for an aging Sosa.

No, but from what I hear he is good and will have a great future.

CarMike · #13 01-14-2005, 12:10 PM

Sosa's production will be even worse with the new testing for steroids.....

Skins57 · #14 01-14-2005, 12:32 PM

I know I would not want Sosa anywhere near my team so I feel for the guys that do not want him in DC, I doubt he will anyway

straightupbeast · #15 01-14-2005, 04:08 PM

larkin would bea great pick up...he was an all star last year and is my favorite player...sosa? more like nosa (hahaha) just trouble and having to deal a top prospect leads to more trouble...