CHICAGO () -- 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.


Grace, 32, batted a career-high .331 -- fifth-highest in the league -- with 39 doubles, nine homers and 75 RBIs. He lifted his lifetime hitting a0verage to .309.