A major hurdle to Sammy Sosa joining the Washington Nationals -- and spending spring training in Viera -- has been cleared. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said Tuesday the team has offered Sosa a guaranteed major-league contract and is waiting to see if the seven-time All-Star accepts it. The deal is believed to be for only one year and laden with incentives. The Nationals previously had offered the free-agent outfielder a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, but Sosa wanted a big-league deal. Bowden made it clear that, with its latest concession, Washington has done all it can to sign Sosa, who is 37 years old and coming off his worst season since becoming a full-time starter. When asked what the chances are that Sosa will be in a Nationals uniform this season, Bowden said, "You'll have to ask Sammy."