The bottom line on Sammy Sosa being traded to either New York team is this: The 31-year-old Sosa is not available right now, according to sources.
If this changes, the Mets and Yankees will discuss bringing him here. But don’t look for Sosa in The Bronx or Flushing soon.
Like his Yankee counterpart Brian Cashman, Mets GM Steve Phillips is a man of diligence. He reads newspaper clips from the Internet religiously in an effort to be aware of any possible deal.
So when he reads Sammy Sosa could be available, he has internal discussions with his assistants. Phillips has held discussions with his, to use a Yankee term, baseball people, but he hasn’t made any offers for Sosa and it is unlikely that he will make a trade for him.
A team would have to overwhelm the Cubs, whose fans might burn down Wrigley if Sosa is dealt. The Yankees – who evened the Subway Series with a 13-5 win yesterday – and Mets will take part in discussions because of their diligence, but it is unlikely that Sosa will be heading this way.
The Mets may not have the goods to get a deal done, although Phillips thinks they do have the chips to bring in a big-time player, if need be.
But if the Mets were to bring in Sosa – who is scheduled to make $11 million this season and $12 million next year – they would likely jeopardize what they could spend on free-agent pitcher Mike Hampton and free-agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez.
“Like any deal that will add payroll beyond where we are or where we should be, I would have to go to ownership for approval,” said Phillips, who declined to reveal whether he’s gone to Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday about Sosa.
Phillips said every move he makes affects other moves. So before you call your local radio station, crying for Sosa, be careful of what you wish for. Fantasy teams look good on paper, but you probably want a shot at Hampton and Rodriguez, don’t you, Met fans?
As for the Yankees, The Post’s George King reported in the May 23 edition that the Yankees had interest in Sosa. George Steinbrenner loves big-name players and Sosa is someone who appeals to him.
Cubs GM Ed Lynch has said he would trade any player in his organization if it made his team better. Phillips has the same company line. Phillips has said the similar thing about Mike Piazza. Piazza isn’t going anywhere, though.
The reason Sosa could be available is first the Cubs want to avoid a Ken Griffey Jr. situation. Sosa, whose 10-5 rights give him the opportunity to veto any trade, will be commanding top dollar in his extension. If the Cubs wait until next year to deal him, they may not be able to get maximum value for Sosa.
Another motive – but less potent – for the Cubs to move Sosa is his recent war of words with Bobby Valentine’s buddy, Don Baylor. Sosa called the Cubs manager classless earlier this week and said Baylor hasn’t treated him correctly.
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