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So long, Sammy?
Posted: Tuesday June 13, 2000 04:29 PM
CNNSI.com: If Chicago pulls the trigger on a trade, say with the Yankees, who can the Cubs expect to get for Sammy Sosa? Ozzie Smith: Anytime you have a player of Sammy's caliber, if you make a trade you've got to make sure you are preparing for your future. So the trade that you make should have a lasting effect on your organization. The Cubs should get a one or two top prospects from the Yankees in exchange for Sosa. If I'm making that trade, I'm certainly making sure I'm going to get something that is bona fide. CNNSI.com: How would the loss of Sosa impact the Cubs? Smith: Of course, the impact is going to be tremendous. People come to Wrigley Field these days to see Sammy Sosa, so surely it's going to have an effect on them. The Cubs are going nowhere, so they've got to do something that's going to allow them to make some progress. CNNSI.com: The Yankees, Mets and Red Sox are thought to be among the teams most interested in making a trade. What do you think of Sosa going to the Yankees? Smith: That would certainly be a shot in the arm for the Yankees, because they've been in search of a legitimate left fielder for a long time, as well as somebody who can hit with power and take some of the pressure off Bernie Williams. They really don't have a big star playing on that team, which is one of the things they have to consider before making a move for Sosa. New York has done really well without big-name stars. I don't think adding Sosa will be a problem. CNNSI.com: If Sosa were to go to one of those three teams, which club would benefit the most? Smith: It's hard to say whether he would have more of an impact with this team or that team. The Red Sox certainly could use another player of his caliber. He wouldn't hurt them. I don't think that any team he goes to is going to hurt. The Yankees could probably get along without him because they are so deep in talent and they proved that last year. The Red Sox would probably be the one team that would benefit more. CNNSI.com: What would such a trade do for Sosa? Smith: I think that Sammy has really put himself on the map these last two years with the great years that he has had. It's not like people don't know what he's capable of doing. Going to a place like New York is only going to give him that much more exposure. I think that a new lease on life for him would be the thing he needs right now to get himself going again. CNNSI.com: We can't forget the Cubs fans. How might they react to Sosa leaving? Smith: It's going to be a downer for a while. But if you can get a couple of very good prospects who can go out there and give you some hope for the future, then people will get over it.
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