MLB Franchise Notes: Strasburg Contract Talks Off To Slow Start

Strasburg's Negotiations With Nationals "Off To A Sluggish Start"

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS: Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which earlier this year struck a deal with the Cubs to create a Cubs Destinations travel program, will begin selling an outbound trip to see the Cubs play the Cardinals in St. Louis September 18-20. The package will include field box seats, lodging, a VIP tour of Busch Stadium, a meet-and-greet with a Cubs player, merchandise and other amenities. Admittance to the Cubs-Cardinals trip will be capped at 75 people to keep the program manageable and maintain a more exclusive feel. The Cubs alignment expands on similar travel efforts FSG has operated for the Red Sox and Boston College. FSG VP Tim Zue: “We’re thrilled to have the Cubs on hand. And outside of Red Sox-Yankees, there’s really no better rivalry in the game than Cubs-Cardinals” (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).

ECONOMY PINCHING TIGERS AT GATE: In Detroit, John Gallagher reported the Tigers have seen a "plunge in ticket sales this year" at after a disappointing 74-88 record in '08 and amid the "collapsing economy" in the region. The Tigers are averaging around 28,000 fans per game at Comerica Park, "down from 38,000 per game at this time last season." However, the team is on pace to draw about 2.4 million fans, which would "still rank among the best years in the team's history" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/21). Tigers VP/Communications Ron Colangelo: "No part of the country has been hit like us. But there's a real emotional bond here. You can feel it. People are very resilient" (USA TODAY, 6/22).

NATIONAL SEARCH: In Boston, Nick Cafardo reported Rays Senior VP/Baseball Operations Gerry Hunsicker has "talked informally" to Nationals President Stan Kasten about the team's GM position, but sources indicated that Hunsicker "doesn't appear interested in leaving the Rays for the unsettled nature" of that role. Marlins VP/Player Personnel & Assistant GM Dan Jennings and White Sox VP & Assistant GM Rick Hahn "have also been mentioned" for the position (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/21).

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