Sweeney Is a Big Deal to Royals

Mike Sweeney, the power-hitting first baseman the Kansas City Royals hope to make the cornerstone of their future, agreed Friday to a $55-million, five-year extension through the 2007 season.

Sweeney gets $8 million this year, the final season of a $13 million, two-year contract. He would have been eligible to become a free agent after the World Series.

“My representatives said on the free market I’d probably be worth $14, $15 [million a year], somewhere around there,” Sweeney said. “But to me, it’s not about the money. It’s about being fair, not trying to get the most.

“For me this is the right place. I wrote on a piece of paper the pros and cons, and the pros outweighed the cons to stay in Kansas City. It’s not about money, but having peace in your heart. I have peace in my heart to sign this contract.”

The new deal can be terminated by Sweeney if the Royals do not have a .500 or better record in either the 2003 or 2004 season.

Sweeney gets a complete no-trade clause for this season and next, and then a limited no-trade clause. If Sweeney does accept a trade, the average yearly salary for the remainder of the contract would increase to $12.5 million.

“This is big,” Royal General Manager Allard Baird said. “Ownership really made a strong commitment. They said be aggressive. We need to keep him. He is our cornerstone.”

In 2000, Sweeney had one of the best seasons in team history, hitting .333 with 29 homers and a team-record 144 runs batted in. He also hit 44 doubles that year and became the first American Leaguer since Al Rosen in 1953 to hit at least .330 with 200 hits and 140 RBIs.

Last year, although slowed by injury, he batted .304 with 29 homers and 99 RBIs.

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Derek Bell said goodbye to the Pittsburgh Pirates, even though the Pirates have yet to officially say goodbye to him.

Bell, whose inflammatory remarks two weeks ago all but assured his release, packed his bags and hugged several Pirate clubhouse employees before leaving. He had reported for treatment on a groin injury that has sidelined him since March 18.

Bell’s exit came two days before the Pirates break camp for Monday’s season opener at New York, and shortly after he discussed his status with General Manager Dave Littlefield.

Littlefield said the Pirates made no roster move or trade Friday involving Bell. However, Bell must pass through waivers--a process that takes 48 hours--before he can be released.

Bell all but assured himself of not being on the team when he threatened in mid-March to go into “Operation Shutdown” if he wasn’t handed the right fielder’s job.

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Rickey Henderson’s contract was purchased from triple-A Pawtucket by the Boston Red Sox.... Dave Hollins, an All-Star third baseman the last time the Philadelphia Phillies went to the World Series in 1993, earned a roster spot when the team released infielder Kevin Jordan.... The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of left-handed reliever Rich Rodriguez from triple-A Oklahoma.... Luis Sojo plans to talk with New York Yankee officials about taking a position in the organization. “I’m 99% sure I’m retired,” Sojo said. “The Yankees are always going to be my first option.”.... The Cincinnati Reds put utility infielder Juan Castro on the 15-day disabled list and recalled shortstop Gookie Dawkins from triple-A Louisville.

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One year to the day after Barry Bonds hit his record 73rd home run, the two fans locked in a lawsuit over ownership of the ball will head to trial.

A San Francisco court commissioner said the trial over who owns No. 73 will start Oct. 7--exactly one year after Bonds launched the ball into a mob on the right-field porch at Pacific Bell Park.

One man, Alex Popov, got a glove on the million-dollar memento, but lost it after other fans pounced on him.

Popov, a health-food restaurateur from Berkeley, sued the man who ended up plucking the ball from the scrum.

That man, Patrick Hayashi, says the ball is his because Popov never really caught it. He has said he found the ball loose amid the fracas and that Popov is trying to bully him into surrendering it.