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Jeter, Yankees near deal

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 3, 2001

NEW YORK -- Derek Jeter and the Yankees neared agreement Friday on a 10-year contract worth just less than $190-million.

While the Yankees wouldn't comment publicly on the talks, the Associated Press reported on the progress.

"We're getting there," said Casey Close, the agent for the All-Star shortstop.

The sides had been scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing Monday in Phoenix but decided to postpone it.

Depending on how much of the money is in the latter years of the contract or is deferred, the total value probably will wind up between $185-million and $189-million, and last 10 years, the Associated Press reported.

For Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, it would be his longest deal since December 1980, when he agreed to a 10-year contract with Dave Winfield that turned about to be worth about $18.3-million.

Jeter's contract, if finalized, would be the second-highest in sports history, trailing the $252-million, 10-year deal agreed to in December between Texas and shortstop Alex Rodriguez, Jeter's good friend.

Sosa ready for Cubs

CHICAGO -- Sammy Sosa doesn't have the contract extension he thinks he deserves but said he wants to finish out the final year of his current deal and see what happens.

"I'm going to play it out. I'm not an agent," Sosa said at the Cubs' winter convention.

"I said it this year again. I'm staying here. If I'm not here, I will be in Japan," he added, apparently tongue-in-cheek.

Sosa and the Cubs can't get together on a new contract. He reportedly wants a six-year extension beyond 2001. His current four-year, $42.5-million deal expires after this season.

"I don't want to talk about contract. I want to play my year here and whatever happens through the year happens," he said.

ATHLETICS: Former Rays right-hander Cory Lidle avoided going to salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract. Lidle, acquired from Tampa Bay in the three-team Ben Grieve trade, was 4-6 with a 5.03 ERA in 31 games for the Rays in 2000.

ORIOLES: The team is pushing home plate back to make the playing field larger at Camden Yards. The changes are the first to the ballpark's dimensions since it opened in 1992. Under the new alignment, the fences will be about 7 feet farther from the plate.

PIRATES: The team began its annual weekend fan fest by introducing uniforms that recreate the sleeveless style from the 1960s. The uniforms have black and gold piping and a return to the traditional block-style lettering.

RANGERS: Texas invited outfielder Ruben Sierra and 12 other non-roster players to spring training. The others are pitchers Jeff Brantley, R.A. Dickey, Jayson Durocher, Kevin Foster, Chris Haney, Pat Mahomes, Pete Munro, Mike Munoz, Brian Schmak and catchers Mike Hubbard, David Streed and Luis Taveras. Pitchers and catchers will report to camp in Port Charlotte on Feb. 16. The rest of the squad must show up by Feb. 22.

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