Several MLB owners are "quietly discussing a plan
whereby" the league "would select an even number of
struggling teams -- two at first, perhaps two more later,
buy out the franchises and disperse the players in a draft
among the remaining clubs," according to Pearlman & Cannella
of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (See THE DAILY, 8/2). Rockies Owner
Jerry McMorris: "We have to start asking whether we're
putting money into markets that aren't going to support
teams." Pearlman & Cannella write that owners "toying with
such a plan" all have mid-to-high payrolls. Pearlman &
Cannella: "Consolidation has its opponents, as well,
starting with small-market owners." One anonymous NL owner,
on consolidation: "This thing has legs. I wouldn't say
there's a 50-50 chance it happens, but I wouldn't say it's
80-20 that it doesn't" (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 8/30 issue).
SMALL-MARKET REAX: Royals CEO David Glass said that
"the theory was news to him": "I don't know anything about
it at all. It's an interesting theory: `If they can't make
it, get rid of them.' I can't imagine it happening" (K.C.
STAR, 8/29). Twins President Jerry Bell: "I've heard the
talk. ... I never thought it was serious, and I still don't
think it is" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/28). In Minneapolis,
Sid Hartman quoted "one of the more powerful" MLB owners as
saying, "It would cost too much money to eliminate those
franchises" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/29).
