http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/01/pirates_interes.html

Pirates Interested In Sosa

 

Emailer Joe tipped me off to a blog referencing an article from a Dominican news service. The article discusses Pittsburgh's interest in Sammy Sosa.

 

Despite my pathetic grasp on the Spanish language, here's what I've pieced together from Rob Rossi's article.

 

With Joe Randa in tow as the Pirates' third baseman, they'd like to make one more free agent acquisition this winter.  Now that first choice Eric Byrnes has a tentative agreement with the Diamondbacks, Sammy Sosa is the primary target for right field.  Apparently several teams desire Sosa's services (I must've translated that part wrong.)

 

The Pirates plan to bat Randa sixth, and they'd like Sosa to hit fourth or fifth in the lineup.  Pirates' management has the money available to sign Sosa.  As far as I can tell, Rossi thinks the Pirates will be an improved team under the management of Jim Tracy.  The reunion of Sean Casey and Joe Randa and improved defense are key components.

 

If there are any Spanish-speaking readers who'd like to offer corrections to my translation, I welcome it.

 

In case the Pirates missed it, Sosa hit a woeful .221/.295/.376 in 380 at-bats for the Orioles in 2005.  It was his worst year since 1991, when he had a wispy mustache and hit .203/.240/.335 in 316 at-bats for the White Sox.  Since I like to point out the hidden positives occasionally, Sosa did manage a .288/.370/.471 line in 104 at-bats against lefties in '05.  Honestly I think he would've made an entertaining platoonmate for Jacque Jones.  Now that would've been humbling.

 

Anyway, signing Sosa would seem to make Craig Wilson the odd man out in Pittsburgh.  The 29 year-old doesn't deserve this fate, as he boasts a career line of .268/.363/.488 in 1593 at-bats and can play catcher, first base, left field, and right field.  Expect some team far more intelligent than the Cubs or Pirates to make a deal for Wilson this winter.

It would be funny if he got back on the roids and killed the Flubs.

Edited January 1, 200620 yr by SSH2005

You know what I'm most lookin forward to in this thread? Another Critic impersonation of one Sham-me Sosa.

At least I get to see that lost look on his face,everytime he srikes out! :puke

Plus he'd play about 19 games against the Cubs. But I'm sure those good good Cub fans will give him a hero's welcome.

That Orioles-Cubs trade was the opposite of the Podsednik-Lee trade. It was awful for both teams. Jerry Hairston still doesn't know how to read signs and one of the players the Cubs got in return retired. Sosa was a huge bust for the Orioles.

Some people here hate seeing posts with "cute little nicknames" for players. That being said, I am glad to see this post. Also, a new icon with steroid needles may also be helpful.

LOL. I still think he either retires or plays in Japan.

Please don't let Sammy put on CLementes Uniform

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Amen to that. But no one can tarnish his memory. Not even a low life like Sosa.

Please don't let Sammy put on CLementes Uniform

Isn't Clemente's number retired? If not, it should be..

Isn't Clemente's number retired?  If not, it should be..

 

It is.

The real question is why the f***balls are the Pirates trying to replace Craig Wilson in right field? He must be one of the most underrated players in the MLB.

 

Craig Wilson's career line: .268 AVG / .363 OBP / .488 SLG / .851 OPS

 

He can also play both corner outfield spots, first base, and some catcher. He can put up Dye-like numbers in a healthy, full season (see his 2004 stats). An outfield of Jason Bay in LF, Chris Duffy in CF, and Craig Wilson in RF is fine as is. That outfield is already light-years better than the Cubs' outfield. The Pirates would be moronic to dump Wilson and sign Sosa.

Edited January 2, 200620 yr by SSH2005

The real question is why the f***balls are the Pirates trying to replace Craig Wilson in right field?  He must be one of the most underrated players in the MLB.

 

Craig Wilson's career line:  .268 AVG / .363 OBP / .488 SLG / .851 OPS

 

He can also play both corner outfield spots, first base, and some catcher.  He can put up Dye-like numbers in a healthy, full season (see his 2004 stats).  An outfield of Jason Bay in LF, Chris Duffy in CF, and Craig Wilson in RF is fine as is.  The Pirates would be moronic to dump him and sign Sosa.

But he can't be good! He only has a .268 career average!

The real question is why the f***balls are the Pirates trying to replace Craig Wilson in right field?  He must be one of the most underrated players in the MLB.

 

Craig Wilson's career line:  .268 AVG / .363 OBP / .488 SLG / .851 OPS

 

He can also play both corner outfield spots, first base, and some catcher.  He can put up Dye-like numbers in a healthy, full season (see his 2004 stats).  An outfield of Jason Bay in LF, Chris Duffy in CF, and Craig Wilson in RF is fine as is.  The Pirates would be moronic to dump him and sign Sosa.

 

The Pirates are moronic. Something like that shouldn't surprise you. Chris Shelton, anyone?

The Pirates are moronic.  Something like that shouldn't surprise you.  Chris Shelton, anyone?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looking at Chris Shelton's minor league stats, why oh why did the Pirates ever let him get away? They truly are just a stupid organization.

Looking at Chris Shelton's minor league stats, why oh why did the Pirates ever let him get away?  They truly are just a stupid organization.

 

I don't really think Wilson is very good just average (is it qwerty thats a big fan?). IF I recall he had a great start to 04 and a putrid last few months while striking out a ton while being mediocre if not worse at any of his multiple positions. He wasn't a factor last year due to injury so I'd be willing to throw out his 05 stats but I'm not sold on him as a good player. That said, Sosa isn't anymore so I'd probably rather have Wilson

I don't really think Wilson is very good just average (is it qwerty thats a big fan?).  IF I recall he had a great start to 04 and a putrid last few months while striking out a ton while being mediocre if not worse at any of his multiple positions. He wasn't a factor last year due to injury so I'd be willing to throw out his 05 stats but I'm not sold on him as a good player. That said, Sosa isn't anymore so I'd probably rather have Wilson

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But they're the Pirates and they suck every year. They should attempt to keep any young player that shows any sign of talent. The Pirates haven't had decent production from the first base position since Kevin Young in 1999 and most other years he was just a mediocre hitter. They finally have a decent first baseman in Sean Casey now but he will cost them $7.5 million and he will be a free agent after 2006. Chris Shelton would have been a much cheaper and younger option for them and they would've had him for years.

Edited January 2, 200620 yr by SSH2005

The Pirates are moronic.  Something like that shouldn't surprise you.  Chris Shelton, anyone?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yay, now they want to replace Craig Wilson with Preston Wilson (the much crappier Wilson)...

 

The Pirates are reportedly targeting Preston Wilson as they search for a right fielder to play over Craig Wilson and Joey Gerut.

Because Craig Wilson strikes out too much? Preston fanned 148 times last season and that was while playing in just 139 games. He's a better choice that Eric Byrnes would have been, but if he is any better than Craig Wilson, it's not a difference that will show up in the standings.

Source:  Beaver County Times

Craig Wilson's career stats (29 years old): .268 .363 .488 .851

Preston Wilson's career stats (31 years old): .264 .333 .478 .811

 

Brilliant!!!

Edited January 2, 200620 yr by SSH2005

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Amen to that. But no one can tarnish his memory. Not even a low life like Sosa.

 

I know his number is retired but he souldn't even put on the Uniform, less step where Clemente Steped as his home Field. If sammy would sign with the Bucs that would be the first thing he would say and that would make me

:puke

I know his number is retired but he souldn't even put on the Uniform, less step where Clemente Steped as his home Field. If sammy would sign with the Bucs that would be the first thing he would say and that would make me

:puke

Well, Clemente never stepped in PNC Park, so thats not anything to worry about too

Apparently several teams desire Sosa's services (I must've translated that part wrong.)

 

ROFL!

ROFL!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hehe, that was pretty good stuff.

Plus he'd play about 19 games against the Cubs. But I'm sure those good good Cub fans will give him a hero's welcome.

 

Sosa ducked out of playing in Chicago this past season and those games weren't even at Wrigley. I don't see him wanting to play at the urinal ever again.

You know what I'm most lookin forward to in this thread? Another Critic impersonation of one Sham-me Sosa. 

"Aye wood lie to ware numero 21 eef Aye cood - AYE NO CAN WARE NUMERO 21??? POR QUE NO?????"

 

"Aye 'ave ahnudder noo houss, een PEESBOORG!!"

 

"Pessboorg ees thee sooorpreyez teeng Aye was talkeeen ahbow beefor. Aye yam SO ostimistic abow dee Pyerisss' shances een thee Nashownal Leeeg Eeest deeveeeshun.....que? CENTRAL?? Reeeleeee???"

 

Anything that keeps SamME around to mock is okay by me - Sosa and Pittsburgh, a match made in last place!!!