When MLB owners, GMs and other officials convene in L.A.
today, little player movement is expected, but there are "some
interesting ownership issues," according to Peter Gammons in
Boston. Gammons, on the agenda: "Interleague play may be voted
in for 1997, some form of revenue-sharing could be agreed upon
over George Steinbrenner's howls, developmental costs may be
braked with limits of 20 scouts and five farm clubs, and the
sales of the Angels and Pirates will be approved" (BOSTON GLOBE,
1/14).
INTERLEAGUE PLAY: In Philadelphia, Jayson Stark reports,
"barring some bizarre and unforseen development," interleague
play is coming in '97. Each team will probably play 15 games
against teams from the other league; World Series DH rules will
apply while MLB weighs a "phaseout" of the DH; and games will
take place during one or two "interleague-play periods"
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/14). According to the WASHINGTON POST,
Phillies President Bill Giles told a group of TV execs that the
owners will vote on the matter this week (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON
POST, 1/16).
EXPANSION QUESTIONS: Placement of the Diamondbacks and the
Devil Rays is also at issue, with the outcome weighing heavily on
the interleague play issue. Sentiment favors placing both in the
AL, with the NL getting two teams in the next expansion (Hal
Bodley, USA TODAY, 1/16). Splitting the teams would mean 15 in
each league -- necessitating some form of interleague play (THE
DAILY). Diamondbacks Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo
will petition for his team and the Devil Rays to gain official
voting rights. Both are scheduled to get full standing upon
delivery of the $130M franchise fee in November '97 (ARIZONA
REPUBLIC, 1/15).
TEAMS FOR SALE: MLB sources say the sale of the Pirates to
Kevin McClatchy is unlikely to come to a vote, according to the
POST's Mark Maske. While McClatchy has reached agreement with
Pirates ownership on a $90M deal, other MLB officials "repeatedly
have asked him to come up with more cash to complete the
transaction" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/16). In Baltimore, Peter
Schmuck reports Disney's plan to buy 25% of the Angles is due for
a vote, "and there appears to be little opposition" (Baltimore
SUN, 1/16).
REVENUE-SHARING: Jayson Stark calls revenue-sharing the
"main bout," with any arrangement likely to be "temporary,"
according to Phillies President Bill Giles. Opposition from the
Yankees and other big-market teams is still expected
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/16).
