Sosa stays with Cubs

CHICAGO, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Sammy Sosa, one of baseball's premier sluggers, will not opt out of the final two years of his four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Sosa, who had until midnight Saturday to opt out of his deal, will earn $16 million in 2004 and $18 million in 2005.

"I have said all along I wanted to remain a Cub forever," Sosa said. "We had such an exciting year in 2003, for both myself and for Cub fans everywhere. I am already looking forward to next season. I know with Dusty Baker as the manager and the direction our team is headed, it will be another exciting year."

Sosa had 40 home runs and 103 RBI in 2003.

He hit his 500th career homer in 2003, but the season likely will be remembered as the year Sosa got caught with cork in his bat, resulting in a seven-game suspension. Cork was found in a bat Sosa shattered during a game against Tampa Bay on June 3 at Wrigley Field.