Cubs General Manager Larry Himes denied reports Monday night that All-Star second baseman Ryne Sandberg was about to sign a new five-year contract worth $31 million.
Sandberg has given the Cubs until Sunday to extend his current contract, which runs through the 1992 season. If they fail, he says he will become a free agent at the end of the year.
A Chicago radio station reported the Cubs` board of directors, chaired by Stanton Cook, would meet Monday night to approve a new five-year deal worth $31 million for Sandberg.
”That`s not true. Absolutely not,” said Himes, who has been in regular contact with Cook in Chicago. ”Anybody can make those (numbers) up. There`s nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Sandberg`s agent, Jim Turner, did not return calls to his home and office Monday night.
Earlier, Himes said the Cubs still hoped to sign Sandberg before the Sunday deadline, but the two sides weren`t close to agreement.
”Negotiations to me are all unknowns,” Himes said. ”I don`t know whether Ryne is going to be with us as a signed player for the next five years or whether he is going to be with us for the 1992 season (only).”