Cubs, Sosa Agree to $72 Million Extension

C H I C A G O, March 16 -- Sammy Sosa's good mood this spring is about toget even better.

Sosa and the Cubs have reached a contract extension of up tofour years worth about $72 million, a pair of sources familiar withthe negotiations, speaking on the condition they not be identified,told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The Cubs announced today that Sosa had agreed to a four-yearextension, although financial terms were not released. A newsconference was set for later in the day at the Cubs' springtraining facility in Mesa, Ariz.

Negotiations Dragged On

Sosa's been one of biggest baseball stars since his home runderby with Mark McGwire in 1998, which finally brought baseball outof its post-strike slump. McGwire hit a single-season record 70homers that year, while Sosa finished with 66.

Over the past three years, he's hit 179 homers and batted .305.His 50 homers last season led the majors, and he joined McGwire andBabe Ruth as the only players with more than two 50-homer seasons.

Sosa, who is currently in the last year of a $42.5 million,four-year deal, began asking for an extension almost a year ago.When negotiations didn't appear to be getting anywhere early lastseason, he gave the Cubs a midsummer deadline to either sign him toa long-term contract extension or trade him.

The Cubs came close to letting him go, but a deal with the NewYork Yankees fell through. With the tension over the negotiationsaffecting his production, Sosa announced after the All-Star breakthat he wanted to stay in Chicago and would block any trades.

Despite the distractions, Sosa ended up with one of his bestseasons. He hit a career-high .320 and drove in 138 runs. He alsohit 38 doubles and drew 91 walks.

Upbeat Sosa Smiles Again This Spring

Though offseason negotiations got testy at times, the contractextension has been expected since Sosa arrived at spring trainingFeb. 26. His agents and Cubs president and general manager AndyMacPhail said they were optimistic they could work something out,and hoped it could get done before opening day.