League Notes

Boras (r) Appears On MLB Net's "Hot Stove" To Discuss Free Agency, Economy

In Boston, Sean McAdam noted the current economic downturn is "obviously the leading factor" for the slow pace of free-agent signings, as fewer than 60 of the 223 MLB free agents having signed contracts as of last Friday. Teams and free agents are playing a "game of chicken, with each side hoping that a longer wait translates into a better deal." McAdam noted if attendance stays level or dips and gross revenues "fail to increase in 2009 for the first time in almost a decade, expect more belt-tightening from teams next winter" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/4). The Rays signed DH Pat Burrell to a two-year deal worth $16M, and WFAN-AM's Mike Francesa said, "You can see the economy has had a big impact. He got $8(M) a year. This is a guy who hit 33 home runs and he got $8(M). The market has dried up. The money is not there right now" ("Francesa," YES Network, 1/5). Meanwhile, agent Scott Boras appeared on MLB Net's "Hot Stove" last night and said, “I don’t think any businesses out in the world are guaranteed a substantial sum of money to begin with. There are eight or nine franchises that are going to receive $30-40(M) in revenue-sharing.” He added that all the franchises “are going to receive $25-30(M) to start with so that means that in your business, to say I’m going to get $60-70(M) to begin my year with, I don’t think there’s many business like that in America" ("Hot Stove," MLB Net, 1/5).

GET READY TO RUMBLE: In N.Y., George Willis wrote when the New York state legislative session begins tomorrow, "somewhere on the to-do list should be the legalization" of MMA in the state. While the sport "can be brutal," the fighters are "well trained, and so are the referees and medical personnel that govern the sport in states such as Nevada and New Jersey, where mixed martial arts is flourishing." The issue failed to pass last year, and in order to "avoid another disappointment, the UFC has spent the last year trying to educate those in decision-making positions about the sport: its history, its rules, its medical requirements and the athletes involved." If the Legislature and New York Gov. David Paterson approve the bill, UFC said that it will hold an event at MSG later this year (N.Y. POST, 1/3).

ON THE FIRST TEE: The PGA Tour Buick Invitational is set to tee off at Torrey Pines on February 5, and in San Diego, Tod Leonard writes with golfer Tiger Woods doubtful to play due to his recovery from knee surgery, San Diego will see what some other tournaments "have been dealing with for years. No Tiger." Leonard: "Nothing is the same without him. Not the tickets sales, the TV ratings, the anticipation, the buzz." National media requests are "merely trickling in to Buick officials." Meanwhile, Leonard lists the 18 "most fascinating golf insiders" for the '09 season, and includes PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and PGA Tour Exec VP/Communications & Int'l Relations Ty Votaw (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/6).

CORRECTION: The December 30 issue of THE DAILY should have stated the PGA Tour's Fall Series in '09 will be down at least two events compared to the '08 schedule. We regret the error.