Phew, Sosa rejects Nationals' offer
Collectively, most of us Nationals fans are breathing a sigh of relief today: Sammy Sosa has officially rejected the Nationals' most recent offer of a $500,000, non-guaranteed contract. The MLB.com article offers further comfort: "Sosa wanted at least $1 million to sign with the team, but Bowden was not willing to increase the offer." I stand corrected! I thought for sure that Bowden would do just about anything to land Sosa, seeking that "lightning in a bottle", as Bill Ladson puts it.
MLBTradeRumors is reporting that the Yankees are potentially interested in Sosa, who stated earlier this week that he will retire if the right deal doesn't come his way. While the Yanks don't need Sosa, this sounds like better fit than Sosa with the Nationals. With Ruben Sierra now with the Twins, Sosa could become a lefty-specialist DH or pinch hitter for NY. If that doesn't sound enticing, just imagine what the New York media will do if Sammy hits his 600th homer in pinstripes. Sosa a Yankee? I'd say it's at least a possibility.
[…] Despite the recent comment posted on MLB.com, "Bowden was not willing to increase the offer", the Nationals reportedly doubled the cash in their offer to Sammy Sosa, bringing the deal to $1 million, non-guaranteed. While Sosa gave it some thought, he ultimately declined this new proposition Tuesday night, leaving Ryan Church as the most likely starter in center field. I suppose we might see Soriano running around out there, but the fans–myself included–want Church. (Go check out the poll on nationals.com.) […]