BASEBALL

DIAMONDBACKS SIGN GLAUS TO FOUR-YEAR DEAL

All-Star third baseman Troy Glaus agreed yesterday to a four-year, $45 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who hope the 2002 World Series MVP will rebound from a season cut short by an injured shoulder.

Glaus, 28, was a three-time All-Star for the Anaheim Angels but hit just .251 with 18 homers and 42 RBIs this year. He had shoulder surgery May 21. Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick called the signing “the first day of the new Diamondbacks” and promised more moves in the future for a team coming off one of the worst seasons in baseball history.

YANKEES NEGOTIATING WITH KOREAN PITCHER

South Korean left-hander Koo Dae-sung is negotiating with the Yankees and was at the team’s minor league complex yesterday.

Koo, 35, was a member of South Korea’s bronze medal-winning team at the Sydney Olympics and went 6-10 with a 4.32 ERA and 99 strikeouts last season for the Orix BlueWave of Japan’s Pacific League. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team had interest in Koo but that no agreement had been reached.

KENT SIGNS WITH DODGERS

All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract with the Dodgers yesterday after helping lead the Houston Astros to the NL championship series last season.

Kent, 36, hit .289 with 27 homers and 107 RBIs last season and made the NL All-Star team for the fourth time.

WHITE SOXREACH DEAL WITH DYE Outfielder Jermaine Dye agreed yesterday to a $10.15 million, two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox that includes a club option for 2007.

Dye rebounded from an injury-plagued year to hit .265 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs in 137 games with Oakland last season. The 30-year-old has a career .272 average with 161 home runs and 611 RBI.

FOOTBALL

CHIEFS’ HOLMES DONE FOR SEASON

Kansas City Chiefs star running back Priest Holmes will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Holmes, who was leading the NFL in scoring and rushing when he got hurt in early November, was placed on injured reserve yesterday.

The Chiefs indicated Wednesday they would probably finish the year without Holmes, whose recovery from sprained knee ligaments has gone much more slowly than the team hoped. Holmes ends 2004 with 892 yards rushing on 196 carries, with 15 touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 187 yards and one score.

BASKETBALL

GUND IN TALKS TO SELL CAVALIERS

Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund is in “serious” negotiations to sell the NBA franchise. Gund, who for the past few years had denied interest in selling the team, released a statement last night in which he said he is currently involved in talks with a potential buyer. Citing unidentified sources, the New York Daily News reported that the club is on the verge of being sold to Dan Gilbert, a Michigan businessman, for $375 million. Gilbert is chief executive of Quicken Loans.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

OHIO STATE IMPOSES POSTSEASON BAN

Ohio State imposed a one-year ban on postseason play by its men’s basketball team in response to $6,000 the university said former coach Jim O’Brien gave a recruit who never played for the school. O’Brien’s firing in June also was part of the sanctions by the university. He has sued the university, claiming he is owed at least $3.4 million because his firing violated terms of his contract.

The ban includes NIT and NCAA competition after this season. University officials said they expect more self-imposed sanctions as the NCAA investigates.

CONNECTICUT UPSET BY UMASS

Rashaun Freeman made a layup with 4.3 seconds left to lift Massachusetts to a 61-59 upset victory over no. 7 Connecticut last night. Freeman came up big time and again for the Minutemen (3-2), who beat the Huskies for the first time in 14 meetings.

Connecticut (4-1) ran into a hostile environment on its first road trip of the season. Freeman and the Minutemen’s frontcourt beat the Huskies at their own game – rebounding and second chance points. Massachusetts outscored Connecticut 42-24 in the paint.

In other Top 25 action last night, no. 2 Kansas topped TCU 93-74 and no. 1 Illinois downed Georgetown, 74-59.

– Associated Press