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Should He Stay or Should He Go?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 9, 2004 3:48PM

2004_10_sports_sosa_jersey.jpgMost of the Cubs off-season debate, at least thus far, has centered around Sammy Sosa and his future with the team.

The Trib weighs in with 5 reasons for the Cubs to keep him and 5 reasons to move him.

Their reason for letting him stay:

  1. The Cubs need him
  2. Cubs can't get enough in trade
  3. He's a great role model (on the field)
  4. Sosa deserves a chance at redemption
  5. Sosa's legacy is huge

Their reasons for trading him:

  1. He's almost done
  2. Everybody is expendable
  3. He's a horrible role model (off the field)
  4. Jim Hendry might be a genius
  5. Carlos Beltran

Chicagoist thinks it's time for Sosa to move on. He's clearly a player in decline. It's not a matter of age... it's no more 'roids. Notice how he no longer looks as much like an action figure? And notice how his acne finally cleared up? And notice how his muscles are so brittle that a sneeze forced him from the lineup? And notice how he's no longer hitting a billion homeruns?

Yet he still behaves like he's a superstar who should get special treatment. His leaving Wrigley in the second inning of the final game is an indictation of how self-centered he is, and that doesn't win ballgames. Just ask any member of the Red Sox.

While his agent is claiming that Sosa's staying put, rumors are flying that Sosa is headed to the Dodgers for Shawn Green. Sosa's contract is an albatross, especially with a 2006 guarantee at $18 million should be traded. And because he's a 5-10 player (5 years with same team, 10 in the league) he automatically gets the right to OK or veto any possible trade. So it looks like the Cubs may miss out on Carlos Beltran because they're stuck with Sosa, should his agent's words be genuine. Look for some clarity on the situation during the upcoming General Managers' meetings this week.