Grace, Cubs Stick Together

After a career-year with the bat, Mark Grace agreed to return to the Chicago Cubs for at least two more seasons, agreeing to a $9.35 million contract with a team option for 1999.

Grace, a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove first baseman, finished in the National League’s top 10 in hitting this year for the seventh time in his nine major league seasons, all with the Cubs.

Under the deal, the Cubs will increase Grace’s 1996 salary from $4.15 million to $4.6 million, thus avoiding having a $450,000 signing bonus appear on their payroll in 1997, when there could be a luxury tax.

The Seattle Mariners have exercised their option on the contract of first baseman Paul Sorrento.

Sorrento, 30, set career highs in batting average (.289) and RBIs (93) while hitting 23 home runs.