Sports briefs 12/8/03

Baseball

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday that guarantees him $2.75 million. He'll get $2.5 million next season, and then the Cubs have a $2.5 million option for 2005 with a $250,000 buyout. The Cubs also reached an agreement Sunday with outfielder Tom Goodwin on a $650,000, one-year contract and announced they would not offer arbitration to their nine remaining free agents, meaning they can't re-sign them until May 1. Included in the group are outfielder Kenny Lofton, former closer Antonio Alfonseca, first baseman Eric Karros and left-hander Shawn Estes.

The Giants brought back first baseman J.T. Snow and added outfielder Michael Tucker. Snow agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees him $1.75 million; Tucker agreed to a $3.5 million, two-year deal.

The Expos severed ties with Vladimir Guerrero, declining to offer the All-Star outfielder salary arbitration.

Kansas City signed right-handed relief pitcher Jason Grimsley to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Colleges

Heather O'Reilly had two goals and an assist to lead undefeated North Carolina to a 6-0 victory over Connecticut in the NCAA women's soccer championship game.

The Washington (Mo.) University women's volleyball team won its record eighth NCAA Division III title by sweeping New York University 30-26, 32-30, 30-22.

Golf

Tom Watson was voted Champions Tour player of the year, giving him a sweep of the major awards for the 50-and-older circuit.

Miscellaneous

Alan Webb edged three-time NCAA steeplechase champion Dan Lincoln of Arkansas by three-tenths of a second to win the U.S. men's cross-country championship.

Jeremy Wotherspoon tied the record for most career World Cup speedskating gold medals when he won a long track event at 500 meters. Wotherspoon tied Uwe-Jens Mey of Germany with 48 career World Cup wins.

Track & field

USA Track & Field delegates overwhelmingly approved a lifetime ban for athletes who test positive for steroids, but the policy won't take effect until questions about its legality are resolved.

-- From wire reports