Yankees: Strawberry in Debt

George Steinbrenner says he’s delaying a decision on Darryl Strawberry’s option not because of baseball or health concerns, but because the outfielder is about $4.5 million in debt.

“What he really wants to do is help Strawberry straighten out his scrambled economic situation,” Howard Rubenstein, a spokesman for the Yankee owner, said Thursday.

The Yankees and Strawberry agreed Nov. 1 to extend the deadline for a decision on his $2.5-million option until on Nov. 11. Strawberry conditionally filed for free agency Thursday, meaning that if the Yankees decline the option and pay $100,000, he becomes a free agent.

Rubenstein said Strawberry owes the Internal Revenue Service $4.5 million.

Strawberry’s agent, Eric Grossman, said the $4.5-million debt is “grossly overstated.” Grossman said Strawberry owes less than half that amount.

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Outfielder Moises Alou reached agreement with the Houston Astros and will not exercise his right to demand a trade to another team.

Alou had three seasons left in a $25-million, five-year contract before agreeing on the new deal. Details of the new agreement were not announced.

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Lenny Dykstra retired after failing to come back from a debilitating back condition.

Dykstra, 35, asked the Philadelphia Phillies to put him on the voluntary retired list rather than become a free agent.

Dykstra missed the last 1 1/2 seasons because of a condition that narrows the opening where nerves go through the spinal canal.

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Dave Burba, who won a career-high 15 games in his first season with Cleveland, was rewarded with a two-year contract extension through 2001 that’s worth about $9.5 million. . . . Outfielder Melvin Nieves’ $2-million option was declined by the Cincinnati Reds, who opted to give the outfielder a $500,000 buyout and put him on unconditional release waivers. In addition, the Reds agreed to offer salary arbitration to pitcher Jason Bere. . . . Reds’ owner Marge Schott has four offers to buy most of her stake in the team and is asking about $70 million for 5 1/2 of her 6 1/2 shares, the Cincinnati Post reported. . . . Pitcher Terry Mulholland agreed to a $5.9-million, two-year contract and will stay with the Chicago Cubs. . . . The Boston Red Sox agreed to a $7-million, three-year contract with outfielder Darren Lewis.