Kansas City, Mo. ? Cut by Colorado near the end of spring training, Scott Podsednik found himself on the couch watching the start of the 2009 season. Doubt? You bet. Podsednik had it.

He eventually was picked up by the White Sox and ended up having a pretty good season for Chicago.

From that opportunity comes another.

Podsednik agreed to a $1.75 million, one-year contract with Kansas City on Friday, giving the Royals speed at the top of the order and versatility in the outfield. The deal includes a club option for 2011.

“It was very humbling. It hit home,” Podsednik said. “I did have thoughts that creeped in as to if I’d play again. Luckily, I got the opportunity with Chicago. They gave me the opportunity to play, and fortunately I was able to help the club out and kind of create another opportunity for me this year.”

The 33-year-old can earn about $250,000 in performance bonuses. Kansas City has a $2 million option with a $100,000 buyout for 2011, when he could earn an additional $300,000 in performance bonuses. Podesnik can void the option if he has 525 plate appearances this year.

He should help the Royals fill one of their biggest holes heading into this season: center field.

Kansas City thought it had solved the center field problems by acquiring Coco Crisp in a trade with Boston last offseason. Instead, he went out with a season-ending shoulder injury after 49 games, and the team didn’t exercise his option for 2010. Crisp later signed with Oakland.

Mitch Maier did a respectable job in center after Crisp went out, but hit just .243 and at times seemed overmatched by big-league pitching.

BASEBALL

Gutierrez pact finalized

Seattle — Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez and the Seattle Mariners finalized a $20.5 million, four-year contract Friday that avoided salary arbitration. Gutierrez’s deal includes a team option for 2014. The 26-year-old hit .283 with 18 homers and 70 RBIs last season.

Beltre, Bosox reach deal

Boston — The Boston Red Sox now have Adrian Beltre at Fenway Park, and with him comes a new defensive mindset. Beltre agreed to a one-year deal Friday worth a guaranteed $10 million.

The two-time Gold Glove winner is coming off injuries. He’ll take over at third base from Mike Lowell, who is coming off thumb surgery and has been the subject of trade talks.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein calls Beltre one of baseball’s best defensive players. But Beltre also hit at least 25 homers in three of the previous four seasons.

Meyers, Astros agree

Houston — Pitcher Brett Myers and the Houston Astros have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that guarantees him $5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The 29-year-old right-hander has played all eight of his major league seasons with the Phillies, going 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA. He was 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 10 starts and eight relief appearances last year, when he made $12 million.

NFL

Rice, Smith hall finalists

New York — Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s career receiving and rushing leaders, are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Rice and Smith are considered virtual locks to be voted into the Hall on Feb. 6, the day before the Super Bowl. The Class of 2010 will be inducted in August in Canton, Ohio.

Other finalists include receiver Tim Brown, also a first-time nominee, and fellow wideouts Cris Carter and Andre Reed.

Tight end Shannon Sharpe, running back Roger Craig, center Dermontti Dawson, guard Russ Grimm, defensive tackles John Randle and Cortez Kennedy, defensive end Richard Dent, DE/linebacker Charles Haley, LB Rickey Jackson, and coach Don Coryell also made the cut.

The two senior nominees are running back Floyd Little and cornerback Dick LeBeau, who is considered one of the NFL’s top assistant coaches and now is defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.

Rice finished his career with 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns.

Mora out; Carroll next?

Renton, Wash. — A sign with Jim Mora’s name identifying his prime parking spot was still in front of Seattle Seahawks headquarters Friday night.

There’s reason to believe that one with Pete Carroll’s name on it could soon take its place.

The Seahawks fired Mora after just one season earlier in the day and speculation on Mora’s replacement immediately centered on Carroll, the charismatic Southern California coach.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Seahawks chief executive officer Tod Leiweke flew to California before firing Mora to interview Carroll for the job. The newspaper said that Seattle — with team owner Paul Allen, the Microsoft Corp. tycoon for whom money is no limitation — is believed to be offering Carroll a five-year contract worth $7 million per season to be its president and coach. That would be a raise of more than $2 million annually on what Carroll is believed to be earning at USC.

GOLF

Glover leads at Kapalua

Kapalua, Hawaii — U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover had another big stretch of birdies on his way to an 8-under 65 that gave him the lowest 36-hole score at Kapalua in five years and a three-shot lead in the SBS Championship. Glover was at 15-under 131 going into the weekend.

John Rollins played bogey-free in a round of 66 and was three shots behind, followed by a group at 11-under 135 that included defending champion Geoff Ogilvy (66) and Sean O’Hair (67).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

South Florida fires Leavitt

Tampa, Fla. — South Florida fired football coach Jim Leavitt after a school investigation concluded he grabbed one of his players by the throat, slapped him in the face and then lied about it.

A letter hand delivered to the coach and released along with a report on the three-week probe said the university’s findings were based on “independently corroborated statements of persons found to be in the best position to observe your conduct.”

Reached by telephone, the only coach in the program’s 13-year history told The Associated Press he was “disappointed” and the allegation was “absolutely false.”