Sports briefs for December 13, 2004

Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 | 10:56 a.m.

Blue Jays set to sign third baseman Koskie

Free agent third baseman Corey Koskie has reached a preliminary agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a $17 million, three-year contract.

In the only trade completed as the winter meetings in Anahaim, Calif., the Blue Jays sent catcher Kevin Cash to the Tampa Bay Devils Rays for right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin.

Meanwhile, a Seattle Marines executive said he though the team was close to an agreement on a three-year contract with first baseman Richie Sexson, who also was negotiating with the Baltimore Orioles.

With the meetings wrapping up today, the big-name free agents remain unsigned. Center fielder Carlos Beltran's agent talked with the New York Yankees, who also met with representatives for right-hander Pedro Martinez.

Trade talks involved Oakland Athletics right-hander Tim Hudson and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Also, St. Louis and Boston were inquiring about a possible trade for shortstop Edgar Renteria and Anaheim was trying to make a deal with the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Matt Clement.

Bertuzzi returns

Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi returned to the ice Sunday for the first time since being suspended for attacking Colorado's Steve Moore, playing in a charity game that included more than 30 locked out NHL players. It was Bertuzzi's first public first public appearance in Vancouver since Aug. 26, when he pleaded not guilty to assault charges for sucker-punching Moore.

BYU to name coach

Amid reports in both Salt Lake City newspapers that defensive coodinator Bronco Mendenhall would get the job, BYU scheduled a news conference for today to introduce the Cougars' new head coach.

Tiger triumphs

Tiger Woods closed with a 5-under 66 for a two-shot victory over Padraig Harrington to win the Target World Challenge at Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Roddick, coach split

Andy Roddick fired coach Brad Gilbert. They had worked together for a year and a half.