BASEBALL LOOKS TO CUT MINOR LEAGUE COSTS

     MLB owners are discussing eliminating more than one third of
their minor-league teams, according to Jerome Holtzman of the
CHICAGO TRIBUNE.   The plan was reportedly discussed at length
during the GM meetings in Arizona last week.  If the plan passes,
each club would "be limited to four minor-league affiliates,"
down from the current average of six to seven.  The "rationale is
that only 10% of the players who sign professional contracts make
it to the majors" and owners see a cost cutting opportunity in
their annual $7-9M per club cost.  Acting Commissioner Bud Selig:
"We're just feeling our way.  But some changes could be in place
by the 1998 season" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/26).
     NEWS & NOTES:  The MLBPA's Executive Board meets this week
in Florida and will discuss the owners' latest proposal.  They
are expected to formulate a position on the payroll tax (Murray
Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 11/26)....Plans are underway for the Mets and
Padres to play a mid-August series next season in Mexico City
(ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/26).