It's more of a fact than a fear (from the Murphy column)
[Sosa] is hitting .200 with a .555 OPS in his last 16 games, 14 of them starts. Those numbers are perfectly in line with the ones weâve seen out of him in previous stints as a long-term sub.
In 2023, Sosa started 44 of the Philliesâ first 72 games.
Here were his numbers during that stretch:
Games 1-27: 15 starts, 58 PA, .309 AVG, .891 OPS
Games 28-72: 29 starts, 107 PA, .204 AVG, .491 OPS
After Bryce Harper returned from the injured list and began transitioning to first base, Sosa returned to more of a utility role. And, lo and behold, his bat returned
Games 73-162: 34 starts, 135 PA, .265 AVG, .832 OPS
The trajectory was the same in 2021, Sosaâs last full season with the Cardinals. He worked his way into an everyday job, started 34 of 39 games at midseason, and hit .252 with a .644 OPS. He finished the season in a utility role, started 40 of 80 games, and hit .283 with a .789 OPS.