This was a natural because when he was a young scout with the Texas Rangers, Minaya was instrumental in signing Sosa to his first professional contract.

The Rockies signed Sosa in 1995, at age 18, and, after spending two seasons playing for their Dominican League team, he moved to the United States to play right field.

By signing Sosa for two years, the Cubs insured that he would not be a free agent after the 1996 season.

Minaya, who signed Sosa for Texas two decades ago, explained politely that the Mets were going after younger players.

No one outside the Cubs has expressed the opinion that they will sign Sosa to a contract extension.

From Sosa's standpoint, he has the collective bargaining right to veto a trade, which means the team that makes a trade with the Cubs has to be prepared to sign Sosa to a new contract or face his veto.

Minaya, then a scout, signed Sosa for the Rangers in July 1985, giving him a $3,500 bonus.

Then again, that could be the very reason the Cubs are apparently not willing to sign Sosa now.

Omar Minaya, who has been the Mets' general manager for less than two months, signed Sosa for the Texas Rangers more than 20 years ago.

Instead, the Cubs signed Sosa to a contract extension and he hit 203 home runs in the next four seasons.