PELLET SALES AGREEMENT PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO PELLET PRICING

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                                                               Exhibit 10.10(a)

                                 WCI STEEL, INC.
                             PELLET SALES AGREEMENT
                    PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO PELLET PRICING
                                SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

1.    Cliffs will defer in the 2006 ore year an amount (the "Deferred Amount")
     equal to [*****](1) of the amount by which the final adjusted price per
     iron ton (after applying Section 6(d) of the October 14, 2004 Amended and
     Restated Pellet Sale and Purchase Agreement as modified by the November 11,
     2004 amendment thereto (as so amended, the "Current Contract")) exceeds the
     price per gross ton without applying such Section 6(d) of the Current
     Contract. Section 6(d) provides that in 2006 the final adjusted price per
     iron ton shall not be less than $[*****] per gross ton below the ECWPP.

2.    The Deferred Amount from 2006 will be paid to Cliffs by WCI over three
     years (2007 - 2009) in 12 equal quarterly payments beginning on March 1,
     2007 together with interest accrued thereon at the applicable rate as
     specified in paragraph 3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
     WCI's Third Amended Plan of Reorganization or an Alternate POR is not
     confirmed and effective on or before June 30, 2006, then the Deferred
     Amount, with accrued interest through the date of payment, will be paid to
     Cliffs, no later than July 31, 2006. In addition, the unpaid portions of
     the Deferred Amount shall be paid in full, with accrued interest through
     the date of payment, contemporaneously with the payment of any dividend to
     WCI's equity holders not provided for in the upstreaming section of the
     Company's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the United Steelworkers of
     America dated April 29, 2004 as amended.

3.    Interest will accrue as amounts ar