Quote:Report: Piniella agrees to manage Cubs




CHICAGO -- Lou Piniella apparently will take his fiery brand of managing to "the Windy City."

Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 reported Monday that the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a three-year deal with Piniella.

Financial terms have not been finalized, but the radio station is reporting that Piniella will receive approximately $3 million annually. The Cubs officially will announce the hiring of Piniella on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

Piniella, 63, faces a difficult task in turning around a Cubs franchise which posted a 66-96 record in 2006 and has reached the postseason just twice in the last 17 years.

The subject of numerous recent rumors, Piniella owns a career record of 1,519-1,420 in 19 seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Seattle Mariners, the Cincinnati Reds and the New York York Yankees. He guided the Reds to a World Series championship in 1990 and twice was named American League Manager of the Year while with the Mariners.

On Friday, Piniella took himself out of the running for the San Francisco Giants' opening. He has also spoken to the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers, although he said the Washington job is not an ideal fit.

Piniella, 63, has been working in television since parting ways with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after the 2005 season following three difficult years as manager.

The Cubs chose not to bring back manager Dusty Baker when his contract expired.

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