Peter Gammons Reports: Lee's Contract

by southerncubbie on Apr 9, 2006 7:37 PM CDT

Watching the game on ESPN, I just heard Peter Gammons report that he spoke with Derek Lee before the game, and that he and The Cubs are very close to a 4 year 12-13 million per year contract with a one year option. Gammons suggested that something would be announced on Monday or Tuesday.

Best of all, Gammons asked Lee why he wouldn't wait until the end of the year to play out his free agency and fish for a 6 year big-money contract from Boston or New York, when he could really cash in at top dollar. Lee's response: "I don't want to make a lot of money--I want to play in Chicago."

I mean--come on. How fortunate are we?!

Good news indeed.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Lee's extension

I AM IN NO WAY BASHING LEE, I love the guy. But if I were him I'd give Chicago some love. I mean would he have turned out this way if he was still with Florida? He's had more protectin with (whew!) Sammy,and Aramis. With the pitcher friendly park in Florida, he may not have been the same guy he is today. All I really remember about Lee before Chicago, was he had the 2 run double that basically put Chicago out of the World Series. (not Bartman)

by fuzzycubfan on Apr 9, 2006 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

Lee's extension

by fuzzycubfan on Apr 9, 2006 8:18 PM CDT reply actions

12-13 Mil?? are you kidding me?

What a guy ! He deserves 5-65-70.. thats Lee money..

but hell thank you Lee... A great player, A great guy... He might just have taken over my favorite player.

by cubsfan2883 on Apr 9, 2006 10:11 PM CDT reply actions

amazing to me

people aren't always rational and aren't always greedy to the nth degree -- but it's so infrequent as to be really refreshing when someone isn't.

i wonder, however, if the deal will be structured similarly to aramis' -- with a player option to void after a year or two in exchange for being signed at what is pretty clearly a cut rate.

by gaius marius on Apr 10, 2006 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

though admittedly

if lee reverts to his career numbers, konerko money is about what he should get, one would think.

by gaius marius on Apr 10, 2006 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I also thought Gammons..

quoted him as saying that if big money from NY or Boston was thrown at him he would say "not interested. I want to stay here"

I think D-Lee is sincere about that.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Apr 9, 2006 10:27 PM CDT reply actions

I was trying to get that across...

....in the diary--did I not say that he wasn't interested in the big $ and that he wanted to stay in Chi-town?

My bad, if it was confusing.

I am VERY pleased tonight.

85% of the world's working and the other 15% come out here (to Wrigley). --Lee Elia

by southerncubbie on Apr 9, 2006 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly...

That is totally the impression I got from that Gammons piece....that Lee wants to forgo a big money contract for someone else in order to be part of something in Chicago.....
Fingers crossed

by kiwibob on Apr 10, 2006 5:50 AM CDT reply actions