As MLBPA negotiators prepare their response to management's
most recent labor proposal, Tracy Ringolsby writes the "final
battle" over a new deal could be within union ranks. Players are
reportedly "upset" over the MLBPA's proposed tax on salaries in
the years before a luxury tax would begin. He notes the MLBPA
"undoubtedly will try to turn the focal point of the final
haggling" deal to whether players are credited for service time
during the strike (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 3/24). In L.A., Ross
Newhan notes the current bargaining positions. The owners have
accepted the union's 2.5% salary tax in Years 1-2 and propose a
40% tax on payrolls above $46M in Year 3. That payroll figure
would increase by 7% per year. The players have moved to a 30%
tax at $50M. Newhan, who writes the owners' offer "puts the onus
on the union to prove how seriously and swiftly it wants a deal,"
proposes the obvious compromise of a 35% tax at $48M (L.A. TIMES,
3/24). In Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt writes, "Union officials
maintained for months that they were willing to do a deal but
were stonewalled by management. Now they have a chance to prove
their good intentions by moving toward ownership's position"
(MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/24). Orioles Owner Peter Angelos
said a deal "could very well happen within the next 60 days, or
sooner" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/24).
REVENUE-SHARING REAX: Rangers President Tom Schieffer,
whose team will pay between $2-3M a year: "Long term, if
baseball is better off because of this agreement, then the
Rangers will benefit, too" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/23).
Indians GM John Hart: "[Owner] Dick Jacobs voted for it, even
though it doesn't appear to be in the Indians' interest. But it
enhances competitiveness between all the teams, and it puts
everyone closer to a [labor] deal" (Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 3/23).
Angelos explains he abstained on revenue-sharing because he
believed no action should be taken until the fees paid into the
pool by surperstations were determined (Peter Schmuck, Baltimore
SUN, 3/23).
