A federal grand jury is looking into MLB teams’ international dealings and has "issued subpoenas to club officials and other personnel involved in the transactions," according to sources cited by Jeff Passan of YAHOO SPORTS. Sources said that agents from the FBI have "spearheaded the investigation" and lawyers from the Department of Justice who specialize in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases -- which "typically involve bribery of foreign officials -- are involved as well." The target of the inquiry "could not be confirmed." Sources said that investigators have "subpoenaed at least one" former Braves official as well as people involved with the signing of 3B Hector Olivera, who agreed to a deal with the Dodgers before being traded to the Braves. Sources said that multiple witnesses have "agreed to cooperate with the investigation." Just how "deep the case goes is unclear" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/28).
MLB has been investigating Russell since allegations first surfaced in June of '17getty images
DONE FOR THE YEAR: A source said that Cubs SS Addison Russell’s "'administrative leave' has been extended through Sunday," essentially ending his season. In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes Russell is "not expected to be placed on the Cubs postseason roster while MLB continues its investigation into domestic abuse allegations his former wife has made." MLB has been "investigating Russell since allegations first surfaced" in June of '17, but Russell was "allowed to play until last week when Melisa Reidy-Russell wrote a blog post alleging her former husband abused her emotionally and physically abused her during their marriage" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/28).
LACKING SUPPORT: USA TODAY's Gabe Lacques notes MLB attendance is "poised to see its first significant decrease in a decade." With 15 clubs done with home games, and 11 of 15 weekend series "lacking significant playoff implications, MLB attendance is down 4.2%." In the end, 17 of 30 teams will "see a dip in attendance -- eight of them reporting losses of 12% or higher." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has "maintained that poor weather early in the season is largely responsible, and it’s a valid explanation." Yet, weather "can’t account for all of it" (USA TODAY, 9/28).
