Nothing like a big win off a Sosa homer to get Sosa focused on what her really desires. A longer contract. Two articles (LINK and LINK) today say that Sosa wants a two year extension and he won't become a free agent at the end of the year. Sosa can declare himself a free agent at the end of the year. Key to understand is that Sosa does not have "free-look" free agency. If Sosa files, he voids his remaining contract. The Cubs would then be free of $16 million in 2004 and $17 million in 2005 due to Sosa.

You have to ask yourself two questions:

1) Would Sosa file?
2) If he did, do you trust Hendry to get a replacement?

In reverse order, my answers are, "Yes," and, "I hope so."

Now, I love watching Sammy play and I'd love to see him hit #756 as a Cub. But looking at the upcoming free agent class, the Cubs upcoming pitching, and the likelyhood that Sammy's play will begin to diminish means that you have to think that a younger player would help this team win for a long time.

A guy like Vlad Guerrero.

The Cubs are going to dump over $20 million in salary this off season (Karros, Alfonseca, Grudzelanek, and Estes alone add up to $19 million) and another $20 million after 2004 (Alou, Ramirez and A Gonz). Add Sosa's $16 million and that creates a pool of $36 million to sign free agents -- AND THAT JUST KEEPS TOTAL PAYROLL EQUAL TO THIS YEAR!

That means adding Vlad isn't the only guy that could be added. Miguel Tejada, Jose Vidro, Corey Koskie, Mike Lowell, Javier Vasquez all become potetial targets. Give me Vlad, Vidro, Coskie, Vasquez, Prior, Wood, Zambrano and Tejada and I'll hang a few World Series banners on the Addison El.

I figure Vlad wants $15 million, Tejada wants $12 million, Vidro wants $10 million and Koskie also wants $10 million. That's $45 million. Sosa, Alou, Grudz, Karros and Alfonseca have salaries totaling $43 million. I'd do that trade. Anyone out there who wouldn't?

Chuck