Sports People

Julio Franco, an infielder with the Milwaukee Brewers last season, agreed to a one-year contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League… . Pitcher Pete Harnisch, who missed most of last season because of clinical depression, agreed to a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds worth about $300,000… . Olympic men’s figure skating champion Alexei Urmanov of Russia, sidelined by a groin injury since March, has confirmed he would not be able to defend his 1994 title… . The Portland Power has obtained Colorado’s Sylvia Crawley in a trade for forward Stacey Ford and a third-round pick in the 1998 draft.