Santiago Joins Phils

Benito Santiago, who hit .286 last season for Cincinnati and was the top fielding National League catcher, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, in effect ending the catching career of sore-kneed veteran Darren Daulton.

General manager Lee Thomas said the Phillies signed the free agent after Daulton told them Friday he didn’t think his knees could stand up to another season behind the plate.

Sammy Sosa, the only player in Cubs history to hit more than 30 homers and steal more than 30 bases in a season, agreed on a $10.25 million two-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Bob Hamelin, who suffered a big slump for the Royals last year after his rookie-of-the-year season in 1994, signed a one-year contract with the team.