Sosa, Rangers Nearing Agreement

[Degenerate39]

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Sosa, Rangers Nearing Agreement

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Sammy Sosa and the Texas Rangers are negotiating a minor league contract that would allow the former slugger to attempt his comeback in the town where he began his career.

Sosa, who hasn't played since the 2005 season, had a second workout for the Rangers on Monday, then had dinner with general manager Jon Daniels and other team officials. An agreement appears likely.

"We've had productive discussions," Sosa's agent, Adam Katz, said Tuesday.

Sosa hit .221 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 102 games in 2005, his only season with the Baltimore Orioles. His major league debut came in 1989 for the Rangers, when he played in 25 games before being traded to the Chicago White Sox.

"This is about giving a guy a second chance," Daniels said.

The 38-year-old Sosa started training last month at home in the Dominican Republic in hopes of returning to the majors. He said then that he had received calls from teams interested in signing him.

Daniels said Sosa first worked out for the Rangers last week in the Dominican Republic.

"The workouts and subsequent conversations have been positive. He seems committed to proving himself again - made it clear he wants to contribute to a winning environment," Daniels wrote in an e-mail after Monday's dinner with Sosa.

During 17 seasons with the Rangers (1989), Chicago White Sox (1989-91), Chicago Cubs (1992-2004) and Baltimore (2005), Sosa is a .274 career hitter with 588 home runs and 1,575 RBIs. He ranks fifth on the career home run list, and he hit more than 60 homers in a season three times.

Sosa was the NL MVP in 1998, when he batted .308 with 66 homers and 158 RBIs for the Cubs.

The Rangers signed Sosa at age 16 in July 1985. He hit .238 with one homer and three RBIs in his major league debut for Texas before being traded to the White Sox, where he stayed until he was traded to the Cubs in the spring of 1992.

[Handofdeath]

This speaks volumes about how badly marketed this team is. There is no other reason for the Rangers wanting him. Does the Rangers organization honestly think that Sosa has anything left? At least with an older player like Mike Stanton you know there is still some tread left on the tire. The big question with Stanton is how much. The tires on Sosa are bald. The door handles are broke and the radio won't work. If he was an actual car, you woudn't even be able to sell him for parts. That corked bat he got caught with was an indication of how badly Sosa himself knew his skills were eroding at the plate. Four years later there is no telling how much worse he is. He most certainly will not be better. As a Rangers fan I am very disappointed and this will not come out well for anybody involved.

[TRF]

The difference between Sosa and Stanton's contracts is what makes this a good signing for the Rangers. Sosa is coming in on a MINOR LEAGUE contract with an invitation to ST.

Stanton gets a two year deal with his AARP card.

[Handofdeath]

The difference between Sosa and Stanton's contracts is what makes this a good signing for the Rangers. Sosa is coming in on a MINOR LEAGUE contract with an invitation to ST.

Stanton gets a two year deal with his AARP card.

He will surprise you. My prediction is he will be Top 5 in the N.L. in holds.

[flyer85]

He will surprise you. My prediction is he will be Top 5 in the N.L. in holds.

I thought it would be handles

[TRF]

Stanton is no where near the pitcher he was with the Yankees. And while historically he's been good at keeping the ball in the yard, GAB is HR friendly. And he turns 40 in June.

Sosa on the other hand isn't guaranteed anything. Certainly not a roster spot. He's low risk/huge reward. potentially. And he's had a year to get everything "off his chest"... so who knows. Giambi rebounded, Sosa could too.

[Handofdeath]

Stanton is no where near the pitcher he was with the Yankees. And while historically he's been good at keeping the ball in the yard, GAB is HR friendly. And he turns 40 in June.

Sosa on the other hand isn't guaranteed anything. Certainly not a roster spot. He's low risk/huge reward. potentially. And he's had a year to get everything "off his chest"... so who knows. Giambi rebounded, Sosa could too.

Don't be so sure. Stanton's ERA last year overall was 3.99. In his 6 seasons with the Yankees he bettered that only three times. The K's are down a little but last season only 4 other pitchers in the NL pitched in more games than Mike Stanton. He was out there because even at his age he can still pitch. His age has nothing to do with anything. Either he can pitch or he can't. Mike Stanton can still pitch.

[TRF]

Conjecture. last year Mike Stanton pitched ok. not great. ok.

Now he's closer to his 40th birthday than his 39th, much closer on opening day. This is who the Reds give a 2 year deal to? And Cormier who is older, and Weathers? That's an old 'pen. It isn't a question of if one or more of these guys goes down, it's when. And why do the Reds even need Stanton. Shackelford was MUCH better against LH hitters last year. In fact he was flat dominating them. And if Bray is supposed to be all that, Stanton was never needed.

Sosa is a perfect fit for Texas. No real commitment unless he performs. He can be cut loose at any time.

[Redsland]

Last year the pen had "veterans."

This year it's just "old."

[MrCinatit]

Soso. Palmiero. Canseco. Juan Gonzalez.
Interesting little "Power of Tradition" the Rangers have going on over there.

[BoydsOfSummer]

I see Sammy is still having flashbacks to the mid-90's when adoring scrub fans cheered wildly as he ran to his position.