Cubs sign first baseman Lee; Sasaki won't pitch for Seattle

NEW YORK -- Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee agreed to a $6.9 million, one-year contract Monday as 10 players settled with their teams a day before the annual exchange of salary arbitration figures.

In other baseball news, Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki told the team Monday he will not pitch for Seattle in 2004, deciding to forfeit the final year of his contract and remain with his family in Japan. Seattle's career saves leader, who turns 36 on Feb. 22, would walk away from up to $9.5 million.

"It's a personal situation," agent Tony Attanasio said. "He wanted to stay home with his kids. Last year, he did not have his kids with him and his wife. He had to have that, and he left a lot of money on the table."

Attanasio said Sasaki may pitch in Japan next season but "he will not pitch again in the United States."

Several more deals likely

As for the 65 players who filed for arbitration last Thursday, 16 already have agreed to contracts, and several more deals are likely to be finalized before the commissioner's office and the players' association swap figures this afternoon.

Among the top players left in arbitration this year are Cy Young Award winners Eric Gagne of Los Angeles and Roy Halladay of Toronto, former NL Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols of St. Louis, Philadelphia pitcher Kevin Millwood and New York Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano.

Lee hit .271 with 31 homers, 92 RBIs and 21 steals last season to help the Florida Marlins win the World Series title. Lee, who made $4.25 million in 2003, was traded to the Cubs in November for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and minor league pitcher Michael Nannini.

Los Angeles third baseman Adrian Beltre agreed to a $5 million deal Monday, up from $3.7 million last season. Beltre, who turns 25 in April, hit .240 with a career-high 23 homers and 80 RBIs last season.

San Francisco pitcher Jim Brower got Monday's only multiyear contract, a two-year deal worth $1,825,000. The Giants also agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with utilityman Pedro Feliz.

Montreal agreed to one-year contracts with right-handers Tomo Ohka ($2,337,500) and Tony Armas Jr. ($2.1 million).

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Kip Wells agreed to $2,575,000, a raise of $2.2 million, after going 10-9 with a 3.28 ERA in a team-high 31 starts.