Around the Majors: Sosa trade is completed

1) The Sammy Sosa trade was completed. Sosa was traded to the Orioles for 2B-OF Jerry Hairston Jr. and minor leaguers 2B Mike Fontenot and P David Crouthers. Sosa waived his $18 million option for 2006.

After 58 RCAA/.993 OPS and 25 RCAA/.911 OPS seasons, Sosa hit .517 SLG, .332 OBA, .849 OPS, 5 RCAA in 126 games. He has a .892 career OPS, compared to his league average of .762, and 353 RCAA in 2138 games.

Sosa is tied for 6th in NL history for HR above the league average–

HOMERUNS                        DIFF   PLAYER   LEAGUE   
1    Barry Bonds                 461      703      242   
2    Hank Aaron                  450      733      283   
3    Willie Mays                 390      660      270   
4    Mel Ott                     374      511      137   
5    Mike Schmidt                367      548      181   
T6   Willie McCovey              334      521      187   
T6   Sammy Sosa                  334      545      211   
8    Willie Stargell             305      475      170   
9    Eddie Mathews               280      503      223   
10   Ernie Banks                 266      512      246   

After -4 RCAA/.705 OPS and -2 RCAA/.725 OPS seasons, Hairston hit .397 SLG, .378 OBA, .775 OPS, 2 RCAA in 86 games. He has a .705 career OPS, compared to his league average of .769, and -35 RCAA in 530 games.

2) The Cubs signed free agent RF Jeromy Burnitz to a 1 year, $4.5 million contract, with a mutual option for 2006.

After -16 RCAA/.677 OPS and 0 RCAA/.786 OPS seasons, Burnitz hit .559 SLG, .356 OBA, .916 OPS, 12 RCAA in 150 games with the Rockies. He has a .842 career OPS, compared to his league average of .776, and 98 RCAA in 1423 games.

3) The Cardinals re-signed GM Walt Jocketty to a 3 year contract.

4) The Marlins signed free agent P Jim Mecir to a 1 year, $1.1 million contract and designated P Kevin Cave for assignment.

After 4.26 ERA/3 RSAA and 5.59 ERA/-6 RSAA seasons, Mecir had a 3.59 ERA/6 RSAA in 65 games with the A’s. He has a 3.83 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.67, and 43 RSAA in 422 games.

5) The Dodgers signed 3B Norihiro Nakamura.

6) The Indians traded 3B Corey Smith to the Padres for INF Jake Gautreau.

---

If you enjoy the ATM reports and want to support them, check out my other creation–the sabermetric baseball encyclopedia. Orders are now being taken for the next edition, which will include the 2004 stats and is currently shipping. It’s powerful, yet extremely easy to use. Features extensive sorting, stat display options, and features that are not available in online and printed sources. The deluxe package has been greatly expanded, making it a much better bargain. For more information, see http://www.baseball-encyclopedia.com

According to Peter Gammons, “There is no greater baseball tool than Lee Sinins’ Baseball Sabermetric Encyclopedia. Get thee to Baseball Immortals and order the disc, haste post haste.” The product Jayson Stark called “the best invention since the toaster oven!” has gotten even more powerful.