Placement of MLB's two expansion teams "might be put on
hold" as a proposal by Rangers President Tom Schieffer to
put both the Devil Rays and the D'Backs in the AL "picked up
support" Wednesday at the owners meeting in Scottsdale,
according to Ken Daley of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.
Schieffer reportedly needs three more AL clubs to approve
his plan as league placements require approval by eleven of
the 14 teams. Schieffer's proposal "has put the AL vote in
play, causing enough concern to prompt an unscheduled
meeting of baseball's ruling Executive Council ... and
infuriating" D'Backs Managing General Partner Jerry
Colangelo. Colangelo has wanted the D'Backs to play in the
NL West, but Schieffer's plan calls for the AL to expand to
16 teams, "paving the way for realignment into four
divisions of four teams each." One division would include
the A's, Angels, D'Backs and Mariners. This would allow the
Rangers to move to a Central Time Zone division of the
Royals, Brewers, and Twins, "improving" start times and TV
and radio advertising revenues. Schieffer's plan would
allow the NL to get the next two expansion teams, bringing
MLB to 32 teams split into eight divisions. Colangelo: "I
wish, for once, things could go smoothly." Votes on the
proposal could come today, but MLB has a February 15
deadline to place the teams (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/16).
Colangelo: "Here we are, on the eve of a vote, and I'm not
sure who's on first base" (Larry Whiteside, BOSTON GLOBE,
1/16). More Colangelo: "Let's put it this way -- I never
went to an American League meeting the last two years" (Jack
Magruder, ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 1/16).
EXPANSION: Owner representatives said yesterday that
MLB shouldn't expand "just because" the new labor deal gives
them that option, according to Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON
POST. Padres President Larry Lucchino: "I have an initial
disinclination toward further expansion right now."
Although "many" MLB officials view Northern VA as an
expansion front-runner, "there were indications that there
could be a significant internal battle among the owners
within the next year or so whether to add teams." Red Sox
CEO John Harrington: "We may have to live with 30 teams for
five or 10 years and not go to 32" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/16).
TURNING JAPANESE: The Padres feel their new working
agreement with the Japanese team, Chiba Lotte Marines, "is a
significant step in the globalization of baseball,"
according to Murray Chass of the N.Y. TIMES. The deal also
give the Padres exclusive rights to one of Japan's best
pitchers, Hideki Irabu. The Yankees have also expressed
interest in Irabu, and according to one MLB team official,
are planning "to protest the Padres' arrangement with the
Marines." Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner: "I think the
whole situation has to be looked at." Chass notes MLB will
examine "its entire relationship with Japanese baseball" as
Acting Commissioner Bud Selig appointed a four-man committee
to study "possible changes in the agreement." The committee
consists of AL President Gene Budig, NL President Len
Coleman, Bill Murray of the Commissioner's office and
management counsel Randy Levine (N.Y. TIMES, 1/15).
JOTTINGS: Lucchino also said construction at Jack
Murphy Stadium may have the Padres playing some April home
games at a neutral site. Playing in Mexico -- either in
Monterrey, Culiacan or Hermosillo -- "is a possibility, as
are games in Honolulu or Las Vegas" (Ken Daley, DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 1/16)....Twins Owner Carl Pohlad gave details
of his new stadium proposal and public ownership plans to
MLB officials. Twins President Jerry Bell: "There weren't
any objections, but there wasn't any approval either"
(Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/16).
