MLB today tabled an expected vote to transfer control of the Padres to a group led by current CEO Jeff Moorad. Both Moorad and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said the delay is due to "technical issues" around the deal's finances and should be resolved within the next 90 days. Moorad said he hopes to get league approval of both the franchise purchase and a new TV deal with FSN within that timeframe. Moorad is ahead of schedule in a multiyear plan to purchase the Padres from John Moores, and Moorad acknowledged "the rush to finish the deal" contributed to the unresolved technical issues.
Selig as expected received a two-year contract extension that will keep him in office through '14. Selig said he was moved by the "sincerity" and "intensity" of recent owner overtures to defer much-discussed teaching and retirement plans. "I meant what I said before" about retiring at the end of this year and teaching, Selig said. "It turns out, my wife [Sue] was right. But to do this, and being asked to stay, there is no higher honor." Selig said during the extension there will be a formalized process to identify his eventual successor, but he offered no details on how that will take shape.
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Among other issues at the league meetings were the following:
- Joe Torre, who stepped down last week as MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations, remains on Selig's Special Committee for On-Field Matters and will attend a separate meeting of that panel this afternoon. Selig did not say exactly when or how he intends to fill the league role vacated by Torre, but added he "likes the chances" of MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Peter Woodfork eventually assuming the position.
- Selig said he is "very hopeful" MLB this season will begin its recently announced expanded playoffs. The Special Committee for On-Field Matters will address the matter, which involves complex scheduling issues and still-uncertain plans for broadcasting the extra Wild Card games. But a final decision is not expected today.
- Selig said he will make announcements "in the near future" on the '13 All-Star Game, as well as future All-Star Games. The '13 game, expected to go to Citi Field, has still not yet been announced, well behind customary league timing for advance planning of the event.
- After an extended report yesterday by the committee studying the A's unresolved ballpark situation, Selig today said the issue is "moving at a very quick pace" and "on the front burner" after more than three years of study. But Selig once again offered no further details as to when a final decision on the matter will arrive.
