"Over the course of spring training, we meet with a number of player agents," Shapiro said Saturday. "Consistent with that, we talked with Darek Braunecker, who represents Cliff.

"Other than that, there's really nothing for me to say. We never talk about negotiations."

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported Friday that Shapiro had told Lee that the Indians wouldn't negotiate an extension because of the country's uncertain economic conditions.

Braunecker met with the Indians on Thursday and told the newspaper: "They cited the economy as the primary issue for not negotiating an extension. We have no issue with that. It's their prerogative and we respect that."

Lee will be paid $5.75 million this season and the Indians hold a club option at $9 million for 2010.

Braunecker said he doesn't anticipate any negotiations during the season. The Indians have extended some contracts during a season in recent years. Lee signed his current deal during the 2006 season and designated hitter Travis Hafner got a four-year extension during the 2007 campaign.

Lee will be Cleveland's opening day starter April 6 in Texas after going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA a year ago. He's also scheduled to pitch for the Indians on April 16 in New York in the first game at new Yankee Stadium against former teammate and 2007 Cy Young winner CC Sabathia.

The Indians traded Sabathia, an impending free agent, last July to Milwaukee. The left-hander signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees this winter.

Lee told the newspaper that he would prefer to spend the rest of his career in Cleveland, but "I can't force that to happen."