Yankees, Cubs Are Discussing a Sosa Trade

Sammy Sosa, who had words with and about Chicago Cub Manager Don Baylor last week, has told team officials he wants to be traded, and the New York Yankees appear ready to offer enough money and prospects to get him.

Three baseball sources said Monday the deal could be made by the All-Star break.

Cub scouts have been looking at Yankee minor leaguers, and Gene Michael--New York’s top scout--has been at Cub games. Later this week, Michael is to follow Detroit’s Juan Gonzalez, another player the Yankees want.

Sosa’s agent, Tom Reich, said the slugger wants decisions to be made quickly, but wouldn’t elaborate.

The Cub options are: extend Sosa’s contract, trade him or let him stay and take the chance he would become a free agent after the 2001 World Series. If there’s a trade, the Cubs would like to get the most talent possible, but Sosa’s value in a deal decreases as the end of his contract approaches. Because Sosa is a 10-year player who has been on his current team more than five years, he has the right to veto any trade.

“While it’s not something that has a great deal of appeal for me, I’ve been around the game long enough not to preclude opportunities that might measurably improve the organization,” Cub president Andy MacPhail said.

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Expos’ lead controlling owner Jeffrey Loria could bring in new investors if his local partners refuse to provide more operating cash, the Montreal Gazette reported.

A contract signed last December between Loria and 15 Quebec-based shareholders outlines a formula to reduce the partners’ equity if they fail to provide the money Loria requests.

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The Mets switched Joneses, sending right-handed pitcher Bobby J. Jones to triple-A Norfolk and bringing up left-hander Bobby M. Jones.

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Jason Schmidt, expected to be Pittsburgh’s No. 1 starting pitcher but only a two-game winner so far, was put on the disabled list because of shoulder problems.

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Cal State Fullerton pitcher Adam Johnson, the No. 2 overall selection in the major league draft, has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Twins and plans to sign a contract tonight. Johnson’s signing bonus is expected to be about in the $2.5 million.