With MLB's Executive Council meeting in Chicago Wednesday,
the option of a second tax-free year at the end of a proposed
deal is the main "sticking point" to a new labor agreement
between owners and players, according to Jerome Holtzman of the
CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Owners "insist" all terms of a new deal must
stay in place in the final year so the two sides won't be
"starting over" when the contract expires in 2000 or 2001. On NL
administrator, speaking on the condition of anonymity,, said, "It
may not seem to be very important, but it's very crucial for us."
Wednesday's meeting "will be to determine whether or not a
majority favors rejecting the deal as now constituted," between
MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr and management negotiator Randy
Levine.
WHO'S IN? For ratification, 21 clubs must approve, and an
Executive Council member "insisted" Monday 16 teams are willing
to hold out for a better deal: Atlanta, Boston, both Chicago
teams, California, Cincinnati, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Kansas
City, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Montreal, San Diego, Seattle, and
Texas. Five "definitely" favor a deal: Toronto, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, and both New York teams. On the fence: Baltimore,
Cleveland, Oakland, Colorado, L.A., Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
Fehr "disputes the claim 16 clubs are against acceptance,"
adding, "It's owner propaganda." But the TRIBUNE's Holtzman
notes a management source who says Fehr "is in for a surprise,"
as if a deal is not reached soon, bargaining would be suspended
and won't be resumed for another month or two at which time
ownership "can be expected to withdraw everything on the table
and start over again" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/10).
