Solution for Cubs’ woes? Bring back Sammy Sosa
OK, hear me out on this one.
Thankfully, the Brewers are slumping at the same time, so the Cubs are still only one game out of first.
The Cubs are in a pennant race. It’s August. Strategically, this is when clubs that are serious about winning make moves that might otherwise seem drastic. The Cubs can not and will not win their division by standing pat and hoping it all works out for the best.
We need power hitters. So who is available?
Consider
Who would he replace? Newly acquired catcher
Piazza is on waivers. The Cubs could get him for a song and perhaps platoon him with Kendall until one of them steps up and shows some power. Methinks it will be Piazza.
Now, here is the suggestion that’s going to be a little unpopular.
Don’t laugh. Don’t gag. Hear me out.
Sosa has hit 16 homers this year (more than anyone in the Cubs lineup yesterday or the day before) despite limited playing time thanks to the Texas Ranger’s youth movement. He’s batting just .243 but he has a slugging percentage of .449.
Yeah, I know. Sosa got run out of town on a rail, and deservedly so. After several seasons of home run heroics, The Sammy Sosa Experience turned sour. He went into a protracted slump, but demanded that as a superstar, he would not allow himself to be moved lower in the lineup. He stopped hustling in the outfield. He started trying to hit homers ever single at bat. Sammy was selfish in the locker room as well, insisting on playing loud music at all times, even when it frayed the nerves of starting pitchers.
I lay the blame for all this mostly at the feet of then-manager
Well, Dusty and his stupid toothpick are gone and Sweet
With Sosa nearing the end of his career, but with a bat that still works, he should be both willing and able to contribute to a well-managed team. You’ve gotta be thinking that Sosa would love the change to bat at home-run friendly Wrigley Field once again and perhaps, just maybe, get to the World Series.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Let’s see, the current slide started about the same time that “Magic Number” thing showed up in your sidebar.
Just a co-inky-dink? I don’t think so.
Bill, I think you’ve been spending too much time in the sun. Get that a/c cranking and drink some water. You’ll start feeling better before you know it.
DO. NOT. JOKE. about such things.
Sosa? Hmmm . . . interesting thought. I’m just trying to figure who he’d replace in their lineup. Sammy, after all, is an outfielder. And, as you correctly state, he’s batting only .243.
But, he certainly could do some damage at the Ol’ Friendly Confines.
I dunno. They seem to be doing okay without him. Only one game out.
Go Cards!!
Kevin
P.S. According to ESPN.com, Soriano has 18 HRs and Ramirez is tied with Sosa’s 16. Oh, I see what you’re saying. Those guys weren’t in the lineup yesterday or the day before. Got it.
I just urped in my mouth.
Sammy will be well-regarded when he retires and is done for the five years between his retirement and potential hall-of-fame induction (whole ‘nother discussion there).
Until then, he’s that one guy.
Not enough CLEAR or corked bats in the clubhouse for Sammy to come back. What the hell ae you thinking about Billy?
No one who plays outfield has really that much better of a batting average. And if we can play Jones with his poor defense I don’t see why we can’t play Sosa instead. And maybe get a guy who can hit some HR’s. In fact it’d be nice to have someone who could at least hit the ball to deep outfield when there’s someone on 3rd with no outs. That alone would make a difference. And Pie could make up for some of Sosa’s defensive.
Jones is playing much better as of late. Bringing Sosa back is not worth a response. There is not much out there that is a real upgrade from what is already there. Shannon Stewart might be the best option; at least defensively, if his waiver is not just a ploy.
As far as Kendall goes, you have to consider how many runners are not thrown out because the pitcher hasn’t delivered a ball that gives him the chance to throw. Not saying he is otherwise blame free, just a point.
16 home runs are great for fantasy baseball, but .243 and 150 strikeouts are not going to boost anyone’s club to October magic. If we are to pin our hopes on Hendry aqcuiring Sosa, or any .240 hitter with limited defensive skills, it then becomes football season for real.
[...] by all means, lets go after him instead of Sammy Sosa. A guy with ONE home run is MUCH better to have on yoru team than a guy with 16 and a slugging [...]
[...] percentage of .336 and a slugging percentage of .379 and exactly 1 home run is preferable to a guy who has 16 homers in limited playing time and a slugging percentage of [...]