The Associated Press

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs have offered pitcher Greg Maddux a two-year deal, thought to be worth a total of $14 million to $15 million. Maddux made $14.75 million last year, his final season with the Atlanta Braves.

"We've always had an interest in Greg," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "He's certainly earned the right to pitch wherever he wants. We're hopeful he'd like to come back and finish where he started."

Maddux hadn't given the Cubs an answer as of Wednesday.

"We're continuing to negotiate with about four, five teams," Maddux's agent, Scott Boras, said Tuesday. "There's a possibility something can happen this week."

Maddux is only 11 wins shy of his 300th victory, and the Cubs would love for him to get it with his original team.

OWNERS MEETINGS: It appears the proposed sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to a Boston real estate developer will come down to the Jan. 31 deadline.

Baseball's ownership committee discussed the $430 million agreement between News Corp. and Frank McCourt on Wednesday and will send a delegation to meet with him in Los Angeles next week.

ORIOLES: Sidney Ponson is returning to Baltimore, which traded the right-hander in July in the midst of his finest season.

Ponson and the Orioles agreed on a $22.5 million, three-year contract Wednesday.

Ponson won 17 games in 2003 - his first winning season.

SHORT HOPS: Recently acquired pitcher Ted Lilly signed a $5 million, two-year deal with the Blue Jays. The left-hander will be paid $1.9 million in 2004 and $3.1 million in 2005. He was eligible for salary arbitration. Lilly, 28, was 12-10 with a 4.34 ERA for the A's.

• Mike Goliat, the second baseman on the 1950 Phillies' pennant-winning "Whiz Kids" team, died Tuesday at age 82.

• Anaheim agreed to terms with infielder Shane Halter on a one-year contract. Halter, 34, hit .217 with 30 RBI in 114 games for Detroit.

• Infielder Mark DeRosa and Atlanta agreed to a $725,000, one-year contract. DeRosa, 28, hit .263 with six homers and 22 RBI in 103 games with the Braves last season, and could be the team's starting third baseman this season.

• Reliever Turk Wendell reached agreement on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Wendell, 36, was 3-3 with one save and a 3.38 ERA in 56 games for Philadelphia last season.