Representatives of the 28 MLB teams met outside Chicago
yesterday and held a "wide-ranging discussion" on how to proceed
in labor negotiations -- with "renewing their pursuit for a
salary cap" among the possibilities. After a six-hour meeting in
Itasca, IL, owners acknowledged that there was "sentiment" for
dropping their most recent payroll tax proposal in favor of
another salary cap plan. Red Sox CEO John Harrington: "You
still have to think about achieving the goals you started out to
achieve. ... Two other sports have caps that work reasonably
well." In Washington, Mark Maske writes that "a return by the
owners to the pursuit of a salary cap would diminish greatly" the
chance of a settlement (WASHINGTON POST, 5/11). The owners "do
not seem to have a clear cut plan," according to Murray Chass in
today's N.Y. TIMES. The owners are likely to change their
bargaining team, and sources on the players side have heard AL
President Gene Budig and NL President Len Coleman might join the
talks when they resume. An owners' committee -- chaired by Rusty
Rose of Texas and joined by White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Blue
Jays President Paul Beeston, Braves President Stan Kasten,
Phillies VP Dave Montgomery and Cubs President Andy MacPhail --
is working on the "plans to pursue with the union" (N.Y. TIMES,
5/11).
SECRET PEACE TALKS: Sources among the players and owners
told the L.A. TIMES there have been secret talks between both
sides to ensure the '95 season will be played to completion (Ross
Newhan, L.A. TIMES, 5/11).
THANKS, BUT NO THANKS: A person close to Morgan, Lewis &
Brockius' Rob Manfred has said that Manfred "has no plans" to
assume the role of the owners' chief labor negotiator, but that
Manfred "will aid in the transition to a new legal team" (Murray
Chass, N.Y. TIMES, 5/11).
