Sammy Sosa decided to stay with the Chicago Cubs and not test the free-agent market, preferring to keep a contract that guarantees him $33 million over the next two years.
Across town Friday, the White Sox decided to exercise the $4 million option on 21-game winner Esteban Loaiza rather than let him listen to offers.
As the first week of the off-season ended, the New York Yankees turned down options on left-hander Gabe White ($3.5 million) and right-hander Antonio Osuna ($2.8 million), and the St. Louis Cardinals said no to a $7 million option on former Yankees left-hander Sterling Hitchcock.
The Cubs declined to exercise their $9 million option on infielder Eric Karros.
Hitchcock and Karros get $1 million buyouts; White receives $250,000 and Osuna gets $150,000.
Eight more players filed for free-agency, including Hitchcock and Karros, raising the total to 183 in the six days after the World Series. About 40 more players potentially are eligible to file by the Nov. 9 deadline. Players can't start talking money with teams other than their own until the following day.
Sosa signed a $72 million, four-year extension during spring training in 2001. Under the deal, he had the right to terminate the contract after this season or exercise player options for $16 million next season and $17 million in 2005.
“I have said all along I wanted to remain a Cub forever,” he said in a statement. “We had such an exciting year in 2003, for both myself and for Cub fans everywhere. I am already looking forward to next season.”
www.kansascity.com
Across town Friday, the White Sox decided to exercise the $4 million option on 21-game winner Esteban Loaiza rather than let him listen to offers.
As the first week of the off-season ended, the New York Yankees turned down options on left-hander Gabe White ($3.5 million) and right-hander Antonio Osuna ($2.8 million), and the St. Louis Cardinals said no to a $7 million option on former Yankees left-hander Sterling Hitchcock.
The Cubs declined to exercise their $9 million option on infielder Eric Karros.
Hitchcock and Karros get $1 million buyouts; White receives $250,000 and Osuna gets $150,000.
Eight more players filed for free-agency, including Hitchcock and Karros, raising the total to 183 in the six days after the World Series. About 40 more players potentially are eligible to file by the Nov. 9 deadline. Players can't start talking money with teams other than their own until the following day.
Sosa signed a $72 million, four-year extension during spring training in 2001. Under the deal, he had the right to terminate the contract after this season or exercise player options for $16 million next season and $17 million in 2005.
“I have said all along I wanted to remain a Cub forever,” he said in a statement. “We had such an exciting year in 2003, for both myself and for Cub fans everywhere. I am already looking forward to next season.”
www.kansascity.com
