Spitball67
02-21-2006, 03:12 PM
February 21, 2006
BY MIKE KILEY Staff Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee said Monday he has a specific dollar amount in mind for a contract extension. If he hears the right number, Lee sounded as if he was ready to sign on the dotted line today.
"There's a fair number that my agent and I have talked about, whether it's this year or next year,'' said Lee, who is eligible for free agency after the 2006 season. "If it's a deal I felt was fair for me, I'd sign it.''
It seems probable that he's looking at a five-year, $60 million deal. The White Sox' Paul Konerko agreed over the winter to those terms after helping the Sox win the World Series.
The Cubs almost certainly would start out by countering with a four-year offer and negotiate the term, but otherwise the money seems to be in the right ballpark for them, too.
The Cubs offered free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal a guaranteed $47 million for five years in the offseason with a chance to make more than $50 million. It seems fair that Lee would want a five-year commitment as well. He is entering the last season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract.
General manager Jim Hendry said he spoke Monday with agent Casey Close, and they have agreed that negotiations will begin in earnest next month.
"Casey and I have always had a good relationship,'' Hendry said. "We did Derrek's deal three years ago in spring training. Collectively, I think Casey, Derrek and I all feel that we want him playing in Chicago. We have no desire for Derrek to leave.''
Lee isn't looking for top dollar -- just fair dollars.
"I think I'm owed what I deserve,'' he said. "Not necessarily the most money. If it's a number that I feel I deserve, I'll be happy with that.''
Told that he could command more money after the season if he matched last year's great performance -- .335 batting average, 46 home runs, 107 RBI -- Lee took a different slant.
"I always look at it as if there's a deal that makes me happy now, why not sign it?'' he said. "I don't think $2 million or $3 million more is going to change my life.''
Lee's preference is to reach an agreement before the season begins.
"I don't want that burden of thought,'' he said. "I want to concentrate on the games. If it does come up, I'd like to get it done.
"Free agency would be fun to experience, but at the same time, the grass is not always greener on the other side. I like it in Chicago, and so does my family. I like the fans and the atmosphere at Wrigley Field, my teammates and coaches. I want to win here.''
mkiley@suntimes.com
Copyright © The Sun-Times Company
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
BY MIKE KILEY Staff Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee said Monday he has a specific dollar amount in mind for a contract extension. If he hears the right number, Lee sounded as if he was ready to sign on the dotted line today.
"There's a fair number that my agent and I have talked about, whether it's this year or next year,'' said Lee, who is eligible for free agency after the 2006 season. "If it's a deal I felt was fair for me, I'd sign it.''
It seems probable that he's looking at a five-year, $60 million deal. The White Sox' Paul Konerko agreed over the winter to those terms after helping the Sox win the World Series.
The Cubs almost certainly would start out by countering with a four-year offer and negotiate the term, but otherwise the money seems to be in the right ballpark for them, too.
The Cubs offered free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal a guaranteed $47 million for five years in the offseason with a chance to make more than $50 million. It seems fair that Lee would want a five-year commitment as well. He is entering the last season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract.
General manager Jim Hendry said he spoke Monday with agent Casey Close, and they have agreed that negotiations will begin in earnest next month.
"Casey and I have always had a good relationship,'' Hendry said. "We did Derrek's deal three years ago in spring training. Collectively, I think Casey, Derrek and I all feel that we want him playing in Chicago. We have no desire for Derrek to leave.''
Lee isn't looking for top dollar -- just fair dollars.
"I think I'm owed what I deserve,'' he said. "Not necessarily the most money. If it's a number that I feel I deserve, I'll be happy with that.''
Told that he could command more money after the season if he matched last year's great performance -- .335 batting average, 46 home runs, 107 RBI -- Lee took a different slant.
"I always look at it as if there's a deal that makes me happy now, why not sign it?'' he said. "I don't think $2 million or $3 million more is going to change my life.''
Lee's preference is to reach an agreement before the season begins.
"I don't want that burden of thought,'' he said. "I want to concentrate on the games. If it does come up, I'd like to get it done.
"Free agency would be fun to experience, but at the same time, the grass is not always greener on the other side. I like it in Chicago, and so does my family. I like the fans and the atmosphere at Wrigley Field, my teammates and coaches. I want to win here.''
mkiley@suntimes.com
Copyright © The Sun-Times Company
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed