Striking Blue Jays are considering the idea of holding
spring training in Dunedin, FL, next month to coincide with the
replacement camp. Player Rep Ed Sprague: "We'd like to take as
much attention away from the replacement camp as we can" (Tim
Harper, TORONTO STAR, 1/25).
OTHER TEAM NOTES: In Kansas City, Dick Kaegel explains how
the new free agency system will not help the Royals: "The Royals'
priority now is reducing their payroll to between $30 million and
$32 million, and making the franchise attractive enough for CEO
David Glass or someone else to buy and keep [the team] in Kansas
City" (K.C. STAR, 1/25).... The Mariners will play eight games in
Vancouver's B.C. Place domed stadium this year -- if labor laws
permit replacement players to cross the border. Warren Buckley,
president of B.C. Pavilion Corporation, which operates B.C.
Place, says bringing replacement baseball to Vancouver may be
risky: "Is this the best way to start a relationship in a new
city? Our fans want to see (Mariners Outfielder) Jay Buhner, not
Clint Smith who played Double A in Oklahoma City." If the
situation cannot be worked out for '95, both sides are discussing
arrangements for '96 (Terry Bell, Vancouver PROVINCE, 1/25)....On
ESPN last night, Peter Gammons examined the effects of the cap.
Red Sox GM Dan Duquette predicts stars will take a "lion's share"
of money leaving no room for a "middle class" ("SportsCenter,"
1/24).
