DENVER -- Sammy Sosa says he desperately wants to play for a winner. Even if it means finishing his career with another team.

	Sammy Sosa Right Field Chicago Cubs Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 110 35 75 90 2 .300

Sosa told the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday that he's giving the Cubs one more year to make significant progress. If Sosa isn't satisfied, he can exercise his right to become a free agent after the 2003 season.

After getting shut out at Coors Field on Friday, the Cubs are 48-65, 12½ games out of first place in the National League's Central Division.

"I have been here almost all my life and have always said I'd like to finish my career here,'' Sosa told the newspaper. "But if this doesn't get fixed next year, after the year, I can be a free agent. I will take my option into serious consideration and see what else is out there.

"I don't want to just continue every year, come here and play hard, have the great numbers that I have been having and not make it to the playoffs. C'mon, it's over and over again. Really, something has to be done.''

General manager Jim Hendry said he understands how Sosa feels.

"I have a lot of respect for Sammy, and we have a good relationship,'' Hendry told the Sun-Times. "We are all disappointed by this year. Expectations were much higher. But we have a feeder system now from the minors and some young people coming along. Then my job this offseason is to go out and make trades or add free agents that will make an impact next year. Sammy understands I'm going to do what's best to make this a winning team.''

"I know Jim Hendry has some good ideas for what he's going to do in the next couple years,'' Sosa told the newspaper. "He just took the job, and he has been here pretty much in the clubhouse. He knows the situation. Now he has the power to make a move and fill the holes we have here, try to find the people that can do the job.''

One player who likely will not be coming to Wrigley is pitcher Mike Hampton. On Friday Hendry strongly denied a report that he was trying to acquire Hampton from Colorado in a trade for Todd Hundley.

"I have had no trade discussions with the Colorado Rockies concerning Hampton,'' Hendry told the Sun-Times.