Trade Enc/Prospects for Sosa/$8 million this year

 

Enc will make $4.35 million this coming year. Sosa?s contract is for $17.0 million. The option automatically kicks in if he?s traded. I think Sosa may waive that provision in order to get out of Chicago and become a Marlin. The only teams that would even dare trade for him and have his $18 million option for the next year kick in are the Yanks and Red Sox. The Yanks have no use for him and I doubt the Red Sox would want to pay that much for him. There are very few teams that could take Sosa off the Cubs? hands if Sosa was willing to waive the option clause and we?re one of them, IMO.

 

Sosa has a $3.5 million severance pay due at the end of the contract and a $4.5 million buyout if the team option isn?t exercised. The Cubs would have to pay these amounts if they don?t trade Sosa, so it shouldn?t be hard to get them to agree to pay those amounts as a condition of the trade. If we throw in a good pitching prospect or two for $8 million this year, it would leave the Cubs paying $12.35 (Enc + $8 million) of the $17 million it would owe Sosa this year. This would mean the Cubs save $4.75 million this year, would get a good prospect or two, get rid of their Sosa headache, and use the freed up amount to go after free agents and resign Nomar.

 

AJ (3)

Beckett (2)

Willis (.5)

Paul Wilson (3) (3 year deal; 3-4-4)

Hutchinson (.3)

 

STARTING PITCHING - $8.8

 

Benitez (4) (3 year; 4-6-5)

Mota (2)

Spooneybarger (.5)

Perisho (.5)

Bump (.5) (or Koch if he?ll take this amount)

Howard (.3)

 

BULLPEN - $7.8

 

Conine (3)

Castillo (5.33)

Lowell (8)

Gonzo (3.1)

Lo Duca (4) (4 year; 4-5-5.5-5.5)

 

INFIELD - $23.43

 

Cabrera (.5)

Pierre (3.4)

Sosa (17-8, Cubs cash=9)

 

OUTFIELD - $12.9

 

Lenny (.5)

Mordeci (.5)

Aguilla (.3)

Treanor/Willingham (.3)

Some rookie (.3)

 

BENCH - $1.9

 

JACKASS PAYMENTS - $13,000,000 (Pudge/Hampton)

 

TOTAL - $67.83

 

 

Lineup

1. Pierre

2. Castillo

3. Cabrera

4. Sosa

5. Lowell

6. Lo Duca

7. Conine

8. Gonzo

 

:thumbup

 

I know we?re supposed to keep the payroll around $55 million, but if we had the chance to field this team, I think we?d do it. Having Sosa and fielding a potential World Champion caliber team should be enough to secure the rest of the stadium financing and pay off for Loria in the long run. We have Hampton?s $11 million coming off the books after this year, and we could use it to try to resign Sosa long term if he?s willing to take less than others will offer. If he?s not, management could always use that $11 million to pay off the extra $10 million they?d spend this year under this plan.

You put that team out there and we draw big time. However, I don't know if it's worth it to throw some big questionmarks out there at SP. I'd try to bring back Valdez as a serviceable 4/5, and try to get Milton/Morris/Milwood/Lowe to be our three behind Beckett and Burnett if Pavano bolts for the "greener" pastures.

You put that team out there and we draw big time.? However, I don't know if it's worth it to throw some big questionmarks out there at SP.? I'd try to bring back Valdez as a serviceable 4/5, and try to get Milton/Morris/Milwood/Lowe to be our three behind Beckett and Burnett if Pavano bolts for the "greener" pastures.

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I'd rather have Paul Wilson for the money he'd command. Lowe is another option I think we could get a decent contract for if the Sox don't resign him. Millwood will probably be a Brave, IMO.

 

I don't see us being able to sign Morris or Milton without paying a big price for them.

 

I wouldn't mind going after Al Leiter (assuming the Mets didn't pick up his option) or Russ Ortiz as our #3/#4.

 

I'd much rather pay $3 million or so for Paul Wilson than around $1 million for Valdez. I'm biased to Wilson since he's a former Nole, though.

You put that team out there and we draw big time. However, I don't know if it's worth it to throw some big questionmarks out there at SP. I'd try to bring back Valdez as a serviceable 4/5, and try to get Milton/Morris/Milwood/Lowe to be our three behind Beckett and Burnett if Pavano bolts for the "greener" pastures.

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I'd rather have Paul Wilson for the money he'd command. Lowe is another option I think we could get a decent contract for if the Sox don't resign him. Millwood will probably be a Brave, IMO.

 

I don't see us being able to sign Morris or Milton without paying a big price for them.

 

I wouldn't mind going after Al Leiter (assuming the Mets didn't pick up his option) or Russ Ortiz as our #3/#4.

 

I'd much rather pay $3 million or so for Paul Wilson than around $1 million for Valdez. I'm biased to Wilson since he's a former Nole, though.

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Ok you're at 67 now slash it down about 12 million more....subtract Benitez and Lo Duca and that whole scenario might be doable....

$67 million seems reasonable. 2003 Marlins had a payroll of $60 with Hampton. And this year $61-64 with Hampton/Pudge.

 

I would take out either LoDuca or Benitez and upgrade the bench. Get a lefty bat Greg Colbrunn or Daryle Ward to replace Harris and press Conine for playing time.

 

 

Edit: What prospects do you think the Cubs would want? They're loaded with starting pitching as our the Marlins.

$67 million seems reasonable. 2003 Marlins had a payroll of $60 with Hampton. And this year $61-64 with Hampton/Pudge.

 

I would take out either LoDuca or Benitez and upgrade the bench. Get a lefty bat Greg Colbrunn or Daryle Ward to replace Harris and press Conine for playing time.

 

 

Edit: What prospects do you think the Cubs would want? They're loaded with starting pitching as our the Marlins.

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I'd rather have Lo Duca and Benitez. We could add a million if we had to in order to improve the bench.

 

As for the prospects, I'm not sure. I'm not familiar with either team's minor league rosters. I assume Stokes/Hermedia (sp? on both) are off limits for our position players and not sure about our pitchers. Perhaps we include the good middle INF prospect (Wilson?) that we have. We have Castillo locked up and short of a Beltre break out type season, I assume we'll resign Gonzo after next year. We don't really need any middle INF prospects and that will be the Cubs' weakness if they don't resign Nomar.

:thumbup

I think that lineup is awesome.

 

Personally I don't see Armando returning so switch Mando for Pavano and put Valdez back in there and we are set. That would probably give Koch a chance for a spot on the pen.

 

$67 million for a stellar lineup like that is definitely in reach.

The Cubs would have to live with Enc and some middle of the pack prospects though. That is the catch.

:thumbup

I think that lineup is awesome.

 

Personally I don't see Armando returning so switch Mando for Pavano and put Valdez back in there and we are set. That would probably give Koch a chance for a spot on the pen.

 

$67 million for a stellar lineup like that is definitely in reach.

The Cubs would have to live with Enc and some middle of the pack prospects though. That is the catch.

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Pavano will probably cost too much, IMO. I'd rather sign Leiter for a 2 year deal than him.

 

I think Armando will be back.

 

The only catch is Sosa waiving the clause kicking in his 2006 option if traded and him wanting to come to FL before other cities. The Mets are the only team with money that I think would go after him in a trade. Because I don't think the Yanks/Sox would get involved and because of the apparant hatred of Sammy and the Cubs, I think they'd do it. Sosa would be welcomed as a God here and wouldn't have pressure like Chicago puts on a player. Because of those reasons, I feel good about our chances if management wants Sosa. :thumbup

Sosa was actually in town yesterday and today, but for some business conference for import/exports with the Dom. Republic. :mischief2

 

I am pretty sure he would love Miami although he would be popular in NY too. The Mets could afford him but they probably can get Hidalgo for much less and have already been burned with expensive and underperforming outfielders.

 

Benitez will get at least $7m a year after his awesome season. We might be able to get Pavano for about $8 and perhaps even get him to go with a backloaded contract.

Sosa was actually in town yesterday and today, but for some business conference for import/exports with the Dom. Republic. :mischief2

 

I am pretty sure he would love Miami although he would be popular in NY too. The Mets could afford him but they probably can get Hidalgo for much less and have already been burned with expensive and underperforming outfielders.

 

Benitez will get at least $7m a year after his awesome season. We might be able to get Pavano for about $8 and perhaps even get him to go with a backloaded contract.

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Who would give Benitez that much? The only teams with that money are in big, pressure markets. I can't see the Cubs risking that amount on a guy with a history of disappearing under hometown pressure.

 

I don't think Pavano is worth that since he'll want a 3-5 year deal. I'd never pay a pitcher that much after one really good season. People seem to forget he was in the bullpen for most of our playoff run. He's just not worth it, IMO.

 

If we lose Benitez, I wouldn't mind signing Koch and Mesa and seeing if one of them can pull a Benitez next year.

Sosa was actually in town yesterday and today, but for some business conference for import/exports with the Dom. Republic.? :mischief2

 

I am pretty sure he would love Miami although he would be popular in NY too. The Mets could afford him but they probably can get Hidalgo for much less and have already been burned with expensive and underperforming outfielders.

 

Benitez will get at least $7m a year after his awesome season. We might be able to get Pavano for about $8 and perhaps even get him to go with a backloaded contract.

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Who would give Benitez that much? The only teams with that money are in big, pressure markets. I can't see the Cubs risking that amount on a guy with a history of disappearing under hometown pressure.

 

I don't think Pavano is worth that since he'll want a 3-5 year deal. I'd never pay a pitcher that much after one really good season. People seem to forget he was in the bullpen for most of our playoff run. He's just not worth it, IMO.

 

If we lose Benitez, I wouldn't mind signing Koch and Mesa and seeing if one of them can pull a Benitez next year.

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I think the money that it's going to cost us to sign Mesa away from a team like the Cubs or Astros is just going to be too much. IMO, we have to keep Benitez and Lo Duca, and then see what's left standing after that, filling in the holes where necessary.

 

As for Sosa...I think the point that needs to be stressed here is that the Cubs have to want to trade him, or (and more importantly) he has to want to be traded. Under those circumstances, he fits in here, otherwise we don't have the money or tradeable resources to get the Cubs to want to trade a player of his stature. They'd take Encarnacion straight up, IMO, if they want to get Sosa out of town, and the prospect we give them determines how much salary they pay.

Sosa was actually in town yesterday and today, but for some business conference for import/exports with the Dom. Republic.? :mischief2

 

I am pretty sure he would love Miami although he would be popular in NY too. The Mets could afford him but they probably can get Hidalgo for much less and have already been burned with expensive and underperforming outfielders.

 

Benitez will get at least $7m a year after his awesome season. We might be able to get Pavano for about $8 and perhaps even get him to go with a backloaded contract.

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Who would give Benitez that much? The only teams with that money are in big, pressure markets. I can't see the Cubs risking that amount on a guy with a history of disappearing under hometown pressure.

 

I don't think Pavano is worth that since he'll want a 3-5 year deal. I'd never pay a pitcher that much after one really good season. People seem to forget he was in the bullpen for most of our playoff run. He's just not worth it, IMO.

 

If we lose Benitez, I wouldn't mind signing Koch and Mesa and seeing if one of them can pull a Benitez next year.

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I think the money that it's going to cost us to sign Mesa away from a team like the Cubs or Astros is just going to be too much. IMO, we have to keep Benitez and Lo Duca, and then see what's left standing after that, filling in the holes where necessary.

 

As for Sosa...I think the point that needs to be stressed here is that the Cubs have to want to trade him, or (and more importantly) he has to want to be traded. Under those circumstances, he fits in here, otherwise we don't have the money or tradeable resources to get the Cubs to want to trade a player of his stature. They'd take Encarnacion straight up, IMO, if they want to get Sosa out of town, and the prospect we give them determines how much salary they pay.

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I can't imagine Sosa playing for the Cubs next year. He'll get booed and we know how sensitive he is. That relationship appears dead, IMO.

Sosa was actually in town yesterday and today, but for some business conference for import/exports with the Dom. Republic.? :mischief2

 

I am pretty sure he would love Miami although he would be popular in NY too. The Mets could afford him but they probably can get Hidalgo for much less and have already been burned with expensive and underperforming outfielders.

 

Benitez will get at least $7m a year after his awesome season. We might be able to get Pavano for about $8 and perhaps even get him to go with a backloaded contract.

589850[/snapback]

 

Who would give Benitez that much? The only teams with that money are in big, pressure markets. I can't see the Cubs risking that amount on a guy with a history of disappearing under hometown pressure.

 

I don't think Pavano is worth that since he'll want a 3-5 year deal. I'd never pay a pitcher that much after one really good season. People seem to forget he was in the bullpen for most of our playoff run. He's just not worth it, IMO.

 

If we lose Benitez, I wouldn't mind signing Koch and Mesa and seeing if one of them can pull a Benitez next year.

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I think the money that it's going to cost us to sign Mesa away from a team like the Cubs or Astros is just going to be too much. IMO, we have to keep Benitez and Lo Duca, and then see what's left standing after that, filling in the holes where necessary.

 

As for Sosa...I think the point that needs to be stressed here is that the Cubs have to want to trade him, or (and more importantly) he has to want to be traded. Under those circumstances, he fits in here, otherwise we don't have the money or tradeable resources to get the Cubs to want to trade a player of his stature. They'd take Encarnacion straight up, IMO, if they want to get Sosa out of town, and the prospect we give them determines how much salary they pay.

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I can't imagine Sosa playing for the Cubs next year. He'll get booed and we know how sensitive he is. That relationship appears dead, IMO.

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I hope so, and I hope we try to get in on it. IMO, there isn't a better fit for him than here, I think he'd be really ammenable to the move.

 

I will say this: if we had gotten Vlad last offseason, we'd have won the NL East in a runaway. If we get Sosa, we may not win the division, but I'd be hard pressed to see us averaging less than 28K a game, and I'd be even more surprised to see us not get the stadium. Remember, Sosa is probably the second or third most marketeable player in baseball, depending on how much credit you want to give ARod/Jeter.

with that rotation we wont do much u have to focus more on pitching.....and plus there are to many guys who can put up sosas numbers from last year or near it for less $

with that rotation we wont do much u have to focus more on pitching.....and plus there are to many guys who can put up sosas numbers from last year or near it for less $

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it's not all about the numbers though, it's more about what Sammy brings in terms of fan support... he could be as big a name as Shaq or bigger

 

and yes, it would suck if Sammy came over here and hit 20 homeruns

y would cubs trade sosa for enc?????????????? :confused

with that rotation we wont do much u have to focus more on pitching.....and plus there are to many guys who can put up sosas numbers from last year or near it for less $

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it's not all about the numbers though, it's more about what Sammy brings in terms of fan support... he could be as big a name as Shaq or bigger

 

and yes, it would suck if Sammy came over here and hit 20 homeruns

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Bigger than Shaq? :blink:

I highly doubt that the Cubs will let go of Sammy. Besides, I wouldn't want the Marlins to get a decilining outfielder with a huge salary.

 

The Marlins will not increase their payroll. I know you try to wish sometimes, but this is just over board increasing the payroll by more that $5,000,000.

 

Not gonna happen in this lifetime... :thumbdown

If lowell chooses to leave getting sosa is a good idea. Remember what everyone said about pudge? Having the big name slugger in their will not only draw crowds but provide protection for cabrera in the lineup. I felt the marlins this year lacked that slugger that changes the strategy of the opposing team. Pudge, even though he only hit 16 homers was someone opposing pitchers didnt like to face, and that provided support for cabrera and lowell. If you have sosa and cabrera batting back to back in the lineup u have to pitch to one of them, and one of them will get pitches to hit

I highly doubt that the Cubs will let go of Sammy. Besides, I wouldn't want the Marlins to get a decilining outfielder with a huge salary.

 

The Marlins will not increase their payroll. I know you try to wish sometimes, but this is just over board increasing the payroll by more that $5,000,000.

 

Not gonna happen in this lifetime... :thumbdown

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Sosa hit 35 homeruns in only 478 ABs. Had he not gotten injured, he would have been near the top of the NL in homeruns. His average wasn't that bad before he became injured. Assuming he heals this off-season, which I think he will, he'd hit over 40 homeruns next year and be the perfect cleanup hitter and superstar persona we need.

 

And, yes, the Cubs will deal him. They don't want him and he doesn't want to be there anymore.

Once Sosa's back problems (*cough* roids *cough*) go away his numbers should be much better. His dash to RF is guaranteed to sell out all the tickets in those sections.

 

Sure it will be cheaper to get Beltran, but Sosa all but guarantees the Fish won't pack their bags for Vegas or somewhere else.

Sure it will be cheaper to get Beltran, but Sosa all but guarantees the Fish won't pack their bags for Vegas or somewhere else.

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Actually it might not be. The show Beltran is putting on right now will pretty much guarantee he's going to go somewhere for 12+, probably in the 15 mil range. The Cubs are also pretty damn desperate to get rid of Sammy by all published reports, suggesting they'd have to eat a chunk of his salary and take on a high priced low output player (Err, Juan Encarnacion anyone?) to able to dump him. We have a good working relationship with the Cub front office as evidenced by us making one or two trades with them a year, and I'm sure we could even get them to lower the salary even further by giving them a mid-level prospect, because it's more than they'd get from anyone else. Face it, they don't have many suitors for Sosa and the first team to get their attention will probably be the uniform he puts on next year.

Sure it will be cheaper to get Beltran, but Sosa all but guarantees the Fish won't pack their bags for Vegas or somewhere else.

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Actually it might not be. The show Beltran is putting on right now will pretty much guarantee he's going to go somewhere for 12+, probably in the 15 mil range. The Cubs are also pretty damn desperate to get rid of Sammy by all published reports, suggesting they'd have to eat a chunk of his salary and take on a high priced low output player (Err, Juan Encarnacion anyone?) to able to dump him. We have a good working relationship with the Cub front office as evidenced by us making one or two trades with them a year, and I'm sure we could even get them to lower the salary even further by giving them a mid-level prospect, because it's more than they'd get from anyone else. Face it, they don't have many suitors for Sosa and the first team to get their attention will probably be the uniform he puts on next year.

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That's what I was thinking, Juanky. Perhaps I'm nuts, but I really think we have a great shot to trade for Sosa if our FO wants him.

I am in Chicago and from the papers, the Sosa/Baker show is in trouble. The two never have gotten along very well and with the broadcasters (Caray and Stone) both providing much needed heat to the Cubs team - they were calling them out on the underperformance this year - it seems the club has chosen who it is goign to go with - Baker. Caray left for Atlanta and Stone is up for renewal but that remains to be seen. Sosa had it out with Baker in a way by leaving early the last game of the season - to avoid the media vultures.

 

I think Sosa is primed to leave and for a change of scenery. Get him in here with a one year deal and you will see him go nuts with production. I think the Cubs also would like to make a deal and they are talking about major changes. Their ballclub is a little too topheavy - relies on homeruns way too much. They need to manufacture runs and they dont have a whole lot of prospects of that nature.

 

Plus, I say we go after Lowe with a one year deal - at JRS he will dominate. And for cheap. Clement also may be available, who knows.

Get him in here with a one year deal and you will see him go nuts with production.

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it would be a 2 year deal(with a 3rd year buyout I think)