Lee, 10 others settle

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."

Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said Sasaki's intentions became clear in the last four to five days. He refused to say what the next step will be.

"There's just too many variables that I'm not certain about," Bavasi said. "It's going to involve the agent, the player, the club, MLB, you name it." He said the team would try to "accommodate" the request but cautioned that as of right now the contract remained in effect.

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.

After 72 players filed for arbitration last year, just 34 exchanged figures and only seven had hearings, with owners winning five.

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.

Chicago hopes to work out multiyear contracts for Lee and pitcher Kerry Wood, who agreed Friday to a $9.75 million, one-year contract.

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.