MLB Acting Commissioner Bud Selig denied MLPBA Exec Dir
Donald Fehr's claim on Saturday that owners and players had
reached a tentative labor deal, according to Tom Haudricourt of
the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Fehr said Saturday night that a
deal was "reached" and that Selig "just has to decide if he wants
it." Selig, speaking to reporters one hour later, said the sides
were still in "heavy negotiation stage," adding that to "say that
a deal is made right now is not accurate." Haudricourt notes
that Fehr was "furious with Selig over his silence, which only
jeopardizes the process at what many believed was the final
stage" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/27). Fehr "exchanged
angry words" with Selig during a meeting Saturday night in New
York as Selig gave no "firm commitments" about supporting the
deal or scheduling a meeting of team owners for this week to vote
on a deal, according to Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST.
Sources close to talks say owners may meet Thursday in Chicago.
During their meeting on Saturday, sources say Fehr "unleashed a
verbal assault" on Selig. Fehr said Sunday: "[Selig] said there
would probably be a meeting soon. I asked if whether he'd back
his negotiator and when he'd schedule a meeting and I got no
definitive answer. ... He'll do whatever he wants. This is
completely in Bud's hands." Selig on Saturday's meeting: "We
met. We discussed some things" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/28). Fehr
was "much calmer" yesterday than he was Saturday night upon
hearing that Selig "had denied the existence of an agreement,"
according to Murray Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. Chass notes players
are acting as if the deal is done, as two players, the Rangers
Mark McLemore and the Orioles Jesse Orosco, became the first to
declare free agency under a new provision of the proposed new
deal. Fehr is scheduled to leave today for a ten-day trip to
Japan on a goodwill tour (N.Y. TIMES, 10/28). CNN's Paul Crane
said negotiators spent Friday "finalizing a long-awaited new
agreement, then spent the day arguing when to announce it" (CNN,
10/25).
DEAL: In Chicago, Jerome Holtzman notes his sources say a
"minimum of 11 teams and perhaps as many as 14 are against the
deal." One NL owner: "Nobody on our side is saying it's a decent
deal, but some owners are saying 'Let's make a deal'" The deal
needs 21 of 28 voters for approval (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/27). Two
"key sticking points" which "continue to trouble some owners" is
that players would get service time and that players would have
the option to extend the deal for a second-tax free year through
2001 (Hal Bodley, USA TODAY, 10/28). Twins Owner Carl Pohlad
said he will not vote for any deal giving players credit for
service time (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/28). In L.A., Ross
Newhan: "It is believed [Selig] can generate the required votes
if he voices support" of the deal (L.A. TIMES, 10/28).
