The outfielder will not be playing for the Dominican Republic team this winter at the request of his new employer, the Chicago Cubs.

"I told him I'd prefer he not play," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Thursday at a news conference introducing Soriano after he signed an eight-year, $136 million deal. "He was agreeable to that. I've asked him not to, and he didn't object to that."

Soriano's agent Pat Rooney said the decision was up to the Cubs, and Soriano said he wasn't aware of the request when later asked by reporters. He was OK with Hendry's call.

"That's fine," said the outfielder, wearing his new No. 12 jersey. "I feel part of this organization, and they want to do the best thing for me."

Many Dominican, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican players are pressured to play in the Winter Leagues by their hometown fans. If Dominicans want to see the newest Cub, who has played for Estrellas in the past, they'll have to watch him on TV.

Soriano, 30, actually got his professional start in Japan in 1995, playing for Hiroshima when he was a teenager. He batted .366 his first season with four home runs, eight stolen bases and 55 RBIs.

"An American team never saw him play in the Dominican," said agent Fernando Cuza. "He went from the Dominican to Japan as a 16-year-old."

Soriano learned Japanese before he could speak English. The New York Yankees bought his contract in September 1998, and he reached the World Series twice (2001, 2003) with them. Since then, he's played for the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals, and last year posted his first 40-40-40 season. He's come a long way from very humble beginnings in San Pedro de Macoris.

"I don't think this [new contract] is going to change him a lot," Cuza said. "He goes about his work, he plays every day. He has great work ethics and his teammates love him. I think that's what people in Chicago need to know about Soriano. He works hard. He comes to play every day."

Soriano is convinced that the Cubs can turn things around after the disappointing 66-96 finish in 2006. New manager Lou Piniella and Hendry made a good impression.

"They said they want to win so bad," Soriano said. "I want to win, too."

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The contract also gives him a complete no-trade provision and guarantees a suite on Cubs road trips. In addition, he is guaranteed six premium tickets for each home game during Spring Training, the regular season and the postseason -- and for the All-Star Game if he is selected.

There are plenty of incentives for the five-time All-Star, who will be the Cubs leadoff hitter. He gets $250,000 for collecting the most All-Star votes; $350,000 if he is selected the World Series MVP; $250,000 for the League Championship Series MVP; $300,000 for the MVP award; and $75,000 for a Gold Glove.

Soriano will also donate $25,000 annually to the United Way and $25,000 annually to the Cubs Care foundation.

Hendry called Soriano "arguably the most exciting player in the Major Leagues," and said the signing was a "landmark day for the franchise." Soriano has a lot to live up to.

"I know how I feel about the game," Soriano said. "I love the game so much. I didn't sign because they put the money out there. It's because I love the game, and I love what they said to me, Jim and Lou. That's the motivation to me to play here in Chicago. It's not the money."

So, he doesn't feel any pressure being the $136 million man?

"Maybe, because people see me as $136 million," he said. "I don't see that in me. I see a guy who loves the game, a guy who plays hard every day. That's what I see in me."

He's coming off a season in which he batted .277 with 41 doubles, 46 homers, 41 stolen bases and 95 RBIs. Maybe he can be a 50-50 player.

"I did 40-40 this year and it's a lot of work -- it's not easy," Soriano said. "I have to go to Spring Training and see what Lou wants me to do. If they want me to run, I'll do it. If they don't want me to run -- he's the manager. I'll do whatever he wants."

This new contract, the fifth largest in the Majors, is beyond Soriano's expectations.

"I had a dream to play professionally and play in the big leagues because I love the game," Soriano said. "This [contract] goes a little more than what I thought about in the past. I still love the game, and that's what's important."