=== Around the Majors - October 6 ===
By Eric Gold, MLB Editor
Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Other than the playoffs, the Sammy Sosa saga continues to be the dominant topic in the majors. Will the Cubs trade him? When will the team hear from him?
The 35-year-old Sosa is coming off one of his worst seasons as a Cub, as he hit .253 with 35 homers and 80 RBI. It marked his worst average since 1997 and the first time since 1994 he didn't drive in at least 100 runs.
The Cubs missed the playoffs this year after a late season collapse, aided by an awful September from Sosa, who hit .230 for the month.
The all-time club leader in homers, Sosa's status with the team is now in question following the events of this past weekend at Wrigley Field. Sosa didn't play in the final contest of the regular season versus Atlanta, one day after Chicago was officially eliminated from playoff contention.
There is some question as to how long Sosa was even at the ballpark on Sunday. Sosa claimed he was at the stadium until the seventh inning, but security cameras reportedly showed Sosa's car leaving the players' parking lot 15 minutes after the game began.
If the Cubs want to pursue a trade it won't be easy to deal Sosa, despite his 574 career homers. He's due to be paid $17 million next season and the Cubs hold an $18 million option for 2006, which they are certain not to pick up. If Sosa is traded, then his contract will reportedly include a $19 million option for 2007.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry will likely levy a fine for Sosa and it wouldn't be shocking if at the winter meetings this year, December 10-13 in Anaheim, Sosa is traded.
The problem is which team can afford that contract, and what club wants to take a chance on an aging slugger who had a severe drop-off in production.
The New York Yankees, Mets, Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers are reportedly the suitors being mentioned for Sosa.
FRIENDLY WAGER
When it comes to the playoffs, politicians from battling cities take every opportunity to tout their hometown team, whether its attending rallies or even making friendly wagers as in the case of Anaheim mayor Curt Pringle and Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino.
In the series between the Boston Red Sox and Anaheim Angels, there is apparently more at stake than advancing to the American League Championship Series. In the case of the mayors, there is seafood, chile peppers and wine at steak (I mean stake).
If the Angels win, Menino has offered to send Pringle a Legal Seafoods dinner comprised of four fresh, live Legal lobsters, 36 Littleneck steamer clams, four pints of New England clam chowder with oyster crackers, bibs, claw- crackers, wetnaps and cooking instructions. Mayor Menino is also including a feast from Dunkin Donuts, including 11 pounds of coffee and 11 Boston kreme donuts.
If the Red Sox win, Pringle will send Menino a crate of oranges, a crate of Anaheim chile peppers, a bottle of California red wine from The Catch Restaurant and a keg of Anaheim Pale Ale from JT Schmid's.
"This is the first Anaheim Angels team to win the tough American League Western Division in 18 seasons. And, we are keenly aware that Boston stopped our drive to the World Series that year," said Pringle. "We are excited and proud that our Anaheim Angels have returned to the postseason and look forward to a hard-fought series with the formidable Boston Red Sox."
