Rookie Lee’s Contract Void

Travis Lee’s record $10-million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks was rejected Thursday by baseball officials because part of the signing bonus was to be paid after 1997.

Under the deal agreed to last week between the expansion team and the first baseman, Lee was to be paid $1.2 million on Oct. 16, $3.6 million on Jan. 15 and $500,000 next June 30.

The remainder was due by Dec. 1, 1997, but the Diamondbacks were given the option of converting it to a three-year major league contract with salaries of $1 million in 1998, $1.5 million in 1999 and $2 million in 2000.

Under Major League Rule 3, the entire signing bonus must be paid by Dec. 31, 1997. Bill Murray of the commissioner’s office, after consulting with the owners’ Player Relations Committee, sent a letter rejecting the contract to Diamondback managing general partner Jerry Colangelo and General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr.

“I’m sure Joe Garagiola and Jerry Colangelo will work through the issues with the PRC and we’ll come up with the proper solution,” said Lee’s agent, Jeff Moorad.

Colangelo could not immediately be reached for comment.

Lee, 21, was taken by Minnesota as the second pick in June’s amateur draft, and was declared a free agent Sept. 24 because the Twins failed to offer him a formal contract within 15 days as required by baseball rules.

He hit .355 with 14 homers, 14 doubles, 60 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 59 games for San Diego State last season, then batted .382 during the Olympics with 10 RBIs in nine games.