But I woke up thinking about the Cubs today.
Two big mega-million dollar contracts are up for next year. Sosa has the last year on his contract 17 million. Moises Alou has an option that could be picked up for 11.5 mill. I know my choice....
In the last two years I've been less and less impressed with Sammy at the Cubs. I've been calling him the King of the Meaningless Home Run. He's not a clutch player. He hits solo shots more than anyone I know. Sammy used to have the ability to put the team on his shoulders and carry it off to victory... Sammy now has a battign average of .253.
Alou on the other hand has been a work horse this year. 39 Hr's with 106 RBI's. and batting average on .293. and a 557 slugging precentage. Alou is clutch. Sammy's 32 HR's only bagged him 80 RBI's. 32 of which were him.
Now if Sammy could dig in and find the Sammy of 99 maybe. But Sammy's half the man he used to be.
OH and for the record I'm not BLAMING him for not making the playoffs. (I migthblame the bullpen) but no one else stepped up and scored runs either. I'm just making a point.
The biggest problem, of course, is that $17 million price tag. Would anyone else pick up that salary for Sammy. Maybe not.
With, at least, Ramirez, and hopefully Alou, poised to help this team to once former glory I think the loss of Sosa would not be so great.
Plus it would find us some money to find a decent bullpen, though by the looks of things it would appear most are back next year:
Kent Mercker and Rusch are the only relievers who are free agents, but Rusch is the only one likely to return. An old but new face will be Joe Borowski, who will have the winter to get his shoulder healthy. Mike Remlinger, LaTroy Hawkins and the kids -- Todd Wellemeyer and Jon Leicester -- will be back. Hawkins is signed through 2005 with a club option for 2006. Remlinger is signed through 2005.
So we'll look on to next year, as hopefully the Red Sox will find victory over all. (Course losing last nights game didn't really help.)
Matt
And know you moment of Pez....
saw no mention of the cards...must be too painful. tonight baby! get ready!
Posted by: hotsauce at October 13, 2004 11:54 AMDid you see my analysis of the Cubs on my blog?
Posted by: A.J. at October 13, 2004 01:16 PMOh, and I have been to that Pez museum!!! Just happened upon it by chance because Julie lived right down the street from it.
Posted by: A.J. at October 14, 2004 07:50 AM