MLB TO OFFER COMPENSATION FOR TEAMS MOVING IN REALIGNMENT?

          MLB owners adjourned their meetings in Atlanta Thursday
     "without solving their realignment riddle.  But make no
     mistake: Realignment is approaching, and more than likely
     will affect no more than seven teams, possibly as few as
     five," according to Jerome Holtzman of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. 
     The owners also extended their original realignment deadline
     from September 30 to October 15 and "indicated it could be
     delayed further if necessary."  Of note is that "a simple
     majority vote from both leagues will remain the manner of
     deciding the issue, but if settlement is not achieved before
     or immediately after the World Series, a two-thirds majority
     would be required" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/19).  
          NEW PLAN: In N.Y., Murray Chass writes that a "key" in
     approving a compromise plan of two leagues, with four NL
     divisions and two AL divisions, is convincing the Astros to
     move to an AL Midwest division.  Chass: "If the planners
     want the Astros to move, they will very likely offer a
     financial inducement."  It is also "possible" that the
     Giants could be compensated for any economic loss stemming
     from the A's joining them in the NL (N.Y. TIMES, 9/19).  In
     Houston, Alan Truex writes that while Astros Owner Drayton
     McLane wants to be in the same division as the Rangers, he
     "doesn't want the Astros to move."  Truex: "Privately, other
     owners blame McLane for the ... stalemate" (HOUSTON
     CHRONICLE, 9/19).  ESPN's Peter Gammons reported last night
     from Atlanta that Selig "hopes to have this realignment done
     in three weeks.  Then, he has to take it to the union, which
     begins another story" ("SportsCenter," 9/18).