Sammy Sosa wants to be a Tiger?

Right now, if I were Hanshin, I would stay as far as away from Sosa as possible.

Sosa has been a disappointment for 3 years, and speaking as an Orioles fan, was a negative influence in the Orioles' clubhouse. Sosa isn't what Hanshin needs at this moment.

Plus, isn't Hanshin's outfield full? Yes, I know Kanemoto will be a free agent this year if I remember right, but I don't see him leaving Hanshin. So, add that on top of that Sosa is a terrible option. Plus, without playing a full year, how in condition is Sosa really?

Why would Tigers want a slugger whose best days are behind him (Kiyohara)? Couple that with steroid issues and the proposal (even though he is cheap) becomes even more far-fetched. Add in the corked bat incident to the mix and then wonder.

As a Dragons fan, I really, really hope he becomes a Tiger.

Come to think of it, I should have put this thread in the Rumour Mill forum.

There is little chance of Sosa coming to Hanshin. I'd say this is just one of those things that floats around the sports dailies as the season winds down.

Interesting story, though.

The only positive about Sammy Sosa coming to the Hanshin Tigers would be how easy it would be to spell his name in Japanese. Sign up Jeff Lahti and Jerry Remy too, and you have an easy-to-spell solfege (musical syllable) team to boot.

Sammy Sosa, though full of past negative stories, would be a nice shot in the arm (no pun intended) to NPB. Even if he only hits 10-20 HRs, I think it'd be nice for NPB fans on all levels. Let's remember that there were Sosa rumors this time last year about him joining Nippon Ham, so I'd take it with a huge grain of salt.

I don't really know if his personality would mean much to a Japanese clubhouse. Look at Julio Zuleta. He's pretty much a tall version of Sammy Sosa, and he's been successful in NPB for a number of years. I also don't see Sosa charging the mound like Zuleta.

Let's remember that Kevin Beirne, of all people, signed for 1-oku. That was a signing I hated. It didn't help Lotte, he was overpriced, and it didn't mean anything to ticket buyers. With Sammy, you'd at least get a lot of press (international, as well) and a draw. I'd be against this if he were asking for Tony Batista money, but he's not.

I say go for it.

I'm afraid I can't agree with you over Sosa. This is more like the old situation of washed out MLB stars finishing their careers in Japan. There would be all sorts of question marks over Sosa playing in Japan even though he is cheap. Hanshin can and should do better.

- Sammy Sosa, though full of past negative stories, would be a nice shot in the arm (no pun intended) to NPB.

I'm afraid I also have to disagree after watching Sosa full-time in 2005. His attitude helped tear apart an Orioles clubhouse in 2005. That on top of all the questions there are about Sosa, Hanshin can and should do better. Plus, their fans deserve much better.

- I don't really know if his personality would mean much to a Japanese clubhouse. Look at Julio Zuleta. He's pretty much a tall version of Sammy Sosa, and he's been successful in NPB for a number of years. I also don't see Sosa charging the mound like Zuleta.

I would exercise caution in calling Zuleta a NPB version of Sammy Sosa. Zuleta might have charged the mound (which I don't condone), but from what I've heard, he isn't a negative influence in the Hawks' clubhouse.

Futhermore, Zuleta was successful in AAA before going to Japan. Sosa hasn't played for one whole year, after refusing to take a minor league contract with Washington. Add that on top of many Hanshin players being quoted as being highly disappointed with the idea of Sosa playing for Hanshin.

Sosa has no position to play in, has numerous steroid questions surrounding him, and on top of that is just plain out a clubhouse cancer.

- With Sammy, you'd at least get a lot of press (international, as well) and a draw. I'd be against this if he were asking for Tony Batista money, but he's not.

Again, I have to argue if this would even be the fact. Right now, the international press couldn't care less what Sosa does or plays. Plus, with a full outfield and no DH in the CL, where would Sosa play? Because Hamanaka isn't going to the bench and doesn't deserve to either. Kanemoto for sure will be back, and Akahoshi isn't going to be relegated to the bench.

Finally, this most likely is just pure speculation on the part of Sosa's agent, hoping some team is, excuse the pun, truly stupid enough to sign Sosa or waste money on him.

- ... Many Hanshin players being quoted as being highly disappointed with the idea of Sosa playing for Hanshin.

That'd be an interesting read. Can you direct me to those quotes?

All I've found is various Hanshin officials saying the idea is "interesting" and that the club should "look into it."

I've heard it over at Japan Baseball Daily [CL Report for September 21].

From what it said over there, many players are wondering where they would play if Sosa should be signed? Yano obviously had a wonderful reaction to it, and Kanemoto joked that he would be released in order to sign Sosa.

Akahoshi should bench if he can't hit better and get 50-70 steals, though. How about Sosa leading off and playing center field? Just kidding!

I don't know much about the Orioles, but I didn't really feel like there were too many great guys in that clubhouse to start with. Now the fans are even boycotting, but that's a whole other issue for another board.

I only called Zuleta similar to Sosa because he's an eccentric guy with negative personality traits that seem to overshadow his stats. It's been said that he burned fruit at his locker with the Cubs like Pedro Cerano of Major League. Don't know if he still does it.

I'm sure everybody in Nishinomiya can't wait to see the hop and skip with the Sammy kiss inside of Koshien. Hehe.

By the way, I haven't seen any articles on Yahoo Japan or SpoNichi. Can someone link us?

I heard that Orix was going to go for Sosa along with Tuffy so that they can protect Kiyohara in the line up. Orix is tired of seeing teams pitch around Kiyohara.

- I don't know much about the Orioles, but I didn't really feel like there were too many great guys in that clubhouse to start with. Now the fans are even boycotting, but that's a whole other issue for another board.

The reason Orioles fans are protesting is because our owner, Peter Angelos, hasn't spent any money, we're in the midst of our ninth straight losing year (1998-2006), and traded for players like Sosa, who tore apart a positive clubhouse. That is sick of one person, and that is Angelos. Though, I prefer I stop it there, because this is digressing from the original point.

Tyrone Woods and Alex Ochoa were AAA teammates in the Orioles' system. Big cogs in the Dragons' machine these days. What are two of the O's biggest needs right now? First base and left field. Clueless management isn't just who you didn't sign, it's also who you didn't develop properly and keep. Keep on protesting, O's fans.

- Tyrone Woods and Alex Ochoa were AAA teammates in the Orioles' system. Big cogs in the Dragons' machine these days. What are two of the O's biggest needs right now? First base and left field. Clueless management isn't just who you didn't sign, it's also who you didn't develop properly and keep. Keep on protesting, O's fans.

First off, no one would expect Woods to have the career he has had in both Korea and Japan, so I throw him out of the equation. Plus, when Woods played in AAA Rochester, he was a career minor leaguer who was in the minors for years. I have no doubt in saying, Woods will be unlikely to produce on a major league level, as he was a 10-year minor league journeyman.

Second, about Ochoa, no one is denying that the trade for Bobby Bonilla was smart. Though, back to my one point, team management makes these decisions, and Angelos is team management. Plus, Ochoa and Woods filling holes in the Orioles' offense is almost a joke in itself. Though, I'm sorry to both Westbay-san and to the topic, for this digression into a Orioles referendum.

This is about Sosa, and he just isn't a positive signing, no matter which way you look at it, as I already mentioned.

The Orioles' referendum is very relevant, since Mr. Brooks points out the lack of awareness and interest the O's have been guilty of, regarding Pacific Rim baseball. Keep up the great blogging.

The original SanSpo story that inspired me to start this thread is here. This is from SanSpo the next day (Sep. 22, 2006), and this the next day (Sep. 23, 2006).

The fact that no other media is carrying this is probably a good indicator of how serious an issue it is. Good BBS fodder, tho'. The hacks at SanSpo are probably laughing at us right now.

I would avoid Sammy Sosa. He is washed up. He is most likely a 'roider, which probably contributed to his home run output. He was a beloved legend, an icon in Chicago, but managed to destroy all that good will over a few months.

NPB doesn't have to be the depository of washed up Major Leaguers. If he wants salvation, he can find it in MLB. The sad truth is that people know better so he is peddling his tainted wares to the uninformed.

These Sammy rumors have been floating around for the past couple years, and I don't buy them either. Sammy had said when he retired something to the effect that he didn't want to play if he couldn't play up to his expectations, so I don't see how finishing up in Japan would help that.

The Tigers could use some power, but this would just be a novelty signing. I would, however, be very glad to see Sosa in a Kyojin uniform. Throw in Palmeiro and the return of Miceli and we could all enjoy watching the Kyojin sink even further.

- The Tigers could use some power, but this would just be a novelty signing. I would, however, be very glad to see Sosa in a Kyojin uniform. Throw in Palmeiro and the return of Miceli and we could all enjoy watching the Kyojin sink even further.

JR, please watch those YGs comments on this board as there are a few who post regularly that think that the Midgets are still the team to beat in the NPB. I think Kiyohara coming back to the Midgets as a player, coach, and batting instructor is the best way forward.

- I think Kiyohara coming back to the Midgets as a player, coach, and batting instructor is the best way forward.
How about Kazushige [Nagashima Jr.] as manager? Then they will really have a team!

I'd love it. It would just give me yet another reason to hate Hanshin. He was a Cub (Cards fan here), and then he's on Hanshin (hate everything about 'em)? This is too good for me. Go to Hanshin, pleeeeaase!

Yahoo! Sports has picked up a report that Sosa may be in talks soon not with the Hanshin Tigers, but rather the Chunichi Dragons.

Sammy Sosa: Japan a Possibility?

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Monday, November 27, 2006
Update: The Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League are considering talking to Sosa this off-season, the Japan Times reports.

Recommendation: If this is true, the Dragons won't be looking at Sosa as just a source of extra publicity. Chunichi won the Central League in 2006 and would be looking at Sosa as a potential heart-of-the-order hitter to hold off challenges from the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers in 2007. Whether or not Sosa is up to that challenge after sitting out the 2006 season is another story.