MLB owners met in Chicago today and will "possibly vote
for the second time" on a proposed labor agreement,
according to Dave Van Dyck of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Owners
rejected the proposed deal November 6 by a vote of 18-12,
and if owners don't change their vote today, "the latest
chance at peace will have been exterminated." Acting
Commissioner Bud Selig "is said to be ready to endorse the
deal after days of agonizing self-debate." But even with
Selig's endorsement, "it is not sure that the vote will
pass." Van Dyck notes the meeting "can be viewed as a
direct result" of the White Sox, five-year, $55M deal with
Albert Belle, and the Braves' four year, $31M deal with John
Smoltz. The contracts were the highest ever for a player
and pitcher (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/26).
HEY, BUDDY! Selig told USA TODAY's Hal Bodley he will
call for a vote, but did not say how he would vote. White
Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf: "A lot of people may vote the way
Buddy tells them to vote. There are a lot of people who
instead of thinking for themselves will do what Buddy says"
(Hal Bodley, USA TODAY, 11/26). Despite Selig's position,
"it was clear that some owners were upset with Reinsdorf for
the Belle contract and for what they called his hypocrisy,"
according to Murray Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. The "talk in
recent days was that enough owners were prepared to change
their votes to reverse the result," with 23 out of 30 votes
necessary for approval (N.Y. TIMES, 11/26). The N.Y. POST's
Joel Sherman notes "momentum has gathered in the last week
to endorse the deal" (N.Y. POST, 11/26). One owner: "It's
going to come down to what Bud decides he wants to do" (Bill
Madden, N.Y. POST, 11/26). Another ownership source: "If
there's no secret ballot this time, I think it passes" (Mark
Maske, WASHINGTON POST, 11/26).
HEAD COUNT: In Houston, Alan Truex notes eight-teams
stand in the way of a deal, including Kansas City, Montreal,
Boston, Florida, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Cubs and White Sox.
The Astros, Mariners and Indians are "slightly more flexible
'hard-liners' on labor issues." Astros Owner Drayton
McLane, Jr., who voted against the deal earlier, said he
"absolutely will re-evaluate my position," as he said he was
"shocked" by the Belle deal (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/26). The
Marlins, in a "drastic about-face," are expected to vote for
the deal. Marlins President Don Smiley: "The reality is the
Florida Marlins need to get on with it, and that means on
and off the field" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/26). Phillies
President Bill Giles: "I know (the Phillies) are going to
vote for the agreement, as we did last time, because even
though it's not perfect, it's better than the status quo"
(Michael Sokolove, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/26).
THROW EARLY, THROW OFTEN: The Devil Rays signed amateur
pitcher Matt White to a record $10.5M bonus, the largest
contract ever paid to an amateur. Agent Scott Boras: "We
really didn't think that an expansion franchise would be in
the running to sign Matt. ... But this ownership here was
committed" (Bill Chastain, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/26). Devil
Rays Managing General Partner Vince Naimoli: "The system
drove us to it. You're forced to do it" (David Whitley,
TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/26).
A VOTE FOR SHAPIRO, NOT ROBERT: NBC's Bob Costas touts
player-agent Ron Shapiro for MLB commissioner: "He's one of
the most reasonable of the agents, a voice of moderation on
both sides. ... He's an exceedingly reasonable and
intelligent guy who understands the business from both
sides" (Phil Rosenthal, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/26).
