Minaya Mulling Manny Or Sammy?



The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan writes Friday that the Mets have targeted Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa. What they could possibly offer for the former, is anyone's guess, as Ramirez has repaired his market value to the point where he wouldn't seem to be a realistic option for New York.

The New York Mets reportedly have had internal discussions about acquiring Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, though the possibility still is a longshot.

Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez tops the off-season wish list of incoming Mets general manager Omar Minaya, but Ramirez is unlikely to be on the market after being named World Series MVP.

Mets management sources, however, told Newsday that Sosa would be a fallback acquisition for the Mets, who are looking for hitting and star power as they try to compete in the shadow of the Yankees.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry declined comment on the Newsday report, but sources said his Tribune Co. bosses have told him to do whatever it takes to find Sosa a new home.

That will be difficult because a trade guarantees Sosa's option year of $18 million in 2006, with a $4.5 million buyout or $19 million in 2007. Minaya scouted Sosa in the Dominican Republic when Sosa signed as a teenager with Texas and Minaya remains close to the Cubs slugger.

Part of any Cubs-Mets deal likely would include former Thornwood High product Cliff Floyd, who has two years and $12 million left on his contract. Hendry recruited Floyd to play for Creighton when Hendry was head coach there, but Floyd turned pro after being drafted out of high school.

The often-injured left-handed hitter batted .260 with 18 homers in New York this year. Floyd, 32 in December, could provide the Cubs with some left-handed power in left field, along with backing up Derrek Lee at first base.

The Cubs also might have to take another oversized contract to make up for the difference in salaries, unless they are so eager to dump Sosa they would pay for part of his contract in New York.

Newsday's Jon Heyman, credited above with the original report, has more on Minaya's thought process.

Ramirez tops the Mets' list of outfield options. But unlike last winter, when the Red Sox placed Ramirez on irrevocable waivers, his stock is soaring now and his $20-million salary probably isn't reason enough for Boston to move him. One Red Sox executive called it "pretty unlikely" that they'd trade Ramirez; another termed it "a long shot."

Sosa is another story entirely, one the Mets will investigate. After several storybook years, Sosa, who has 574 career homers, appears headed for a bitter breakup with the Cubs, who are motivated to move him and might even initiate talks. The Mets have discussed suggesting Cliff Floyd, a Chicago native, for Sosa.

In Sosa's case, the main impediment is his high salary and sticky contract; a clause triggers another guaranteed year at $18 million if he's dealt. Counting buyout money, an acquiring team would be on the hook for $39.5 million over two years, a high figure for a slugger in decline.

The conventional wisdom was that the Mets would target Magglio Ordoñez to bolster their limp lineup. But Mets people tout new general manager Omar Minaya's "outside-the- box" thinking, and a potential blockbuster involving either Ramirez, from Washington Heights, or Sosa could be the first prime example.

In yet another example of outside-the-box thinking, the Mets are for the first time willing to entertain offers for prized young shortstop Jose Reyes. There has been speculation regarding a Reyes-for-Alfonso Soriano deal, but the Mets won't consider that because Soriano will make $8 million in arbitration.

Even if they don't land either Ramirez or Sosa, the Mets will likely import an established outfielder. They remain interested in Ordoñez but are concerned about two knee surgeries and his bone marrow edema condition. Yet another option could be Moises Alou, another player Minaya likes. Other free-agent corner outfielders include Jermaine Dye and their own Richard Hidalgo.




Were the Cubs willing to assume the bulk of Sosa's contract, I can understand Minaya's interest. But outside of a swap to Colorado, it is hard to imagine how much Sammy has left in the tank.

Posted: Fri - October 29, 2004 at 01:24 PM      

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