Suite deal: Soriano's filled with perks

Alfonso Soriano will be paid $18 million annually in the final five years of his $136 million, eight-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, the fifth-richest contract in baseball history. Soriano's deal gives him a complete no-trade provision and guarantees a suite on Cubs road trips, according to contract information obtained by The Associated Press. In addition, Soriano is guaranteed six premium tickets for each home game during spring training, regular season and the postseason -- and for the All-Star game if he is selected. Soriano receives an $8 million signing bonus and will get a $9 million salary next season. His salary increases to $13 million in 2008 and $16 million in 2009, then goes up to $18 million from 2010-2014. Soriano, who turns 31 in January, will be 38 in the final year of the deal.

There are also plenty of incentives for the five-time All-Star, who will be the Cubs leadoff hitter. He gets $250,000 for collecting most All Star votes, $350,000 if he is selected the World Series MVP, $250,000 for the league championship series MVP, $300,000 for the MVP award and $75,000 for a Gold Glove. As another provision, Soriano will donate $25,000 annually to United Way and $25,000 annually to Cubs Care foundation.

Soriano wants to warm up for Cubs in Dominican winter league

Dominican Republic (AP) -- Alfonso Soriano wants to warm up for his Chicago Cubs debut by playing for his hometown team in the Dominican winter league.

"I'm going to ask permission to play for the Eastern Stars when I get back to Chicago for the press conference where they're going to introduce me next week," the slugger told The Associated Press on Friday after arriving in the Caribbean country.

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Cubs sign Soriano to $136 million contract

The Chicago Cubs' ownership is showing new manager Lou Piniella that they are serious about winning. Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 reported Sunday that the Cubs have signed outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year contract worth approximately $136 million. The move would clearly mark the highlight in an already busy offseason for the Cubs, who have signed free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa and have re-signed third baseman Aramis Ramirez and righthander Kerry Wood.

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Cubs re-sign C Blanco

The Chicago Cubs on Wednesday re-signed veteran catcher Henry Blanco to a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2009. Financial terms were not disclosed. Serving primarily as a backup to Michael Barrett, Blanco, 35, batted .266 with six home runs and 37 RBI last season for the Cubs. Blanco is a career .225 hitter with 49 homers and 225 RBI over eight-plus seasons with Chicago, Minnesota, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Colorado and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

DeRosa cashes in on career year, to sign with Cubs

Mark DeRosa is poised to cash in on his career year. The Chicago Cubs reached an agreement on a three-year, $13 million contract with DeRosa on Tuesday. The agreement was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. DeRosa, who played six positions for the Rangers last season, is expected to be the Cubs' regular second baseman.

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Ramirez and Wood stay with Cubs

Aramis Ramirez decided to stay put. Coming off a career year at the plate, the third baseman gave up a chance to explore the free-agent market, agreeing Sunday to a $73 million, five-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

On the first day free agents could negotiate money with all 30 teams, oft-injured pitcher Kerry Wood also opted to stay with the Cubs, agreeing to a $1.75 million, one-year deal that could be worth up to $6 million.

Ramirez, who initially joined the Cubs midway through the 2003 season in a trade with the Pirates, had opted out of the final two seasons of a $42 million, four-year contract and filed for free agency on Oct. 30. His new deal contains a mutual option for 2012.
"He proved to Chicago that when you leave $20 million or $30 million on the table, it's where you want to go," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "Both sides gave a little bit at the end."



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Yankees trade Gary Sheffield to Tigers

Gary Sheffield was traded from the New York Yankees to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for three pitching prospects. Sheffield played for Tigers manager Jim Leyland and team president Dave Dombrowski in 1997, when Leyland managed the Marlins to the World Series title and Dombrowski was Florida's general manager. "I'm more than happy to be reunited with guys that I'm familiar with," Sheffield said.

Ladies and Gentlemen Jim Hendry has dropped the ball yet again. The one guy who is guaranteed to have a monster season next year and lord knows we don't trade for him.

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Cubs re-sign RHP Miller to one-year contract

Wade Miller is rewarding the Chicago Cubs for their patience. The righthander opted to return to the Cubs on Thursday, signing a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Miller, 30, was limited to just five starts at the end of last season as he experienced complications from offseason shoulder surgery, going 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA.

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Cubs hire Gerald Perry as hitting coach

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella completed his staff Wednesday when Gerald Perry agreed to a two-year deal to be the team's hitting coach. Perry, who was Oakland's hitting coach last season, rejoins Piniella. He served as the Seattle Mariners hitting coach from 2000-2002 when Piniella was managing there.

"Lou's a proven winner. We had a real good relationship in Seattle and we won. We averaged 100 wins a year," Perry said.

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“LEN & BOB BASH” CHARITY CONCERT

Chicago Cubs television announcers Len Kasper and Bob Brenly announced plans today for their inaugural "Len & Bob Bash" concert that will be held Thursday night, January 18, 2007, at the House of Blues. Ryan Adams will be the concert headliner and all proceeds will be donated to Chicago Cubs Charities.

"Bob and I have both been treated so wonderfully by everyone in Chicago and we have been looking to find a way to give something back," said Kasper. "We both love music and with the Cubs Convention set to start the next day, we hope this will be a fun and rewarding way to kick off the baseball season in Chicago."

"When Len came to me with this, I thought it was a great idea," said Brenly. "This is going to be a very fun show for a great cause. Chicago Cubs Charities does great work in town and we're excited to be able to add our support with this event."

Tickets go on sale to the public on Saturday, November 11 at 10am and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 312-559-1212, or at www.ticketmaster.com. There will be an exclusive internet pre-sale of tickets beginning Wednesday morning November 8 through the House of Blues at www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago/.

Cubs hire DeJesus to assist Piniella

Former Major League shortstop Ivan DeJesus was hired as a special assistant to Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella on Monday after spending the past six seasons as a minor-league manager for the Houston Astros. The 53-year-old DeJesus batted .254 in a 15-year career that began with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974. He played with the Cubs from 1977 to 1981, before being traded to Philadelphia for Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg and shortstop Larry Bowa. He spent three seasons with the Phillies before stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers. He appeared in the World Series with the Phillies (1983) and Cardinals (1985).

Ramirez says Cubs still his first choice

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez hopes to stay with the Cubs. Ramirez said Thursday that several teams have contacted his agent to discuss his availability since he filed for free agency this week. "The Cubs are my first choice but I'm a free agent because I had to give myself the opportunity," Ramirez said during an interview with The Associated Press.

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