Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Negotiations collapse regarding contraction

© St. Petersburg Times
published December 14, 2001

BOSTON -- Thursday wasn't necessarily a good day for the Twins and Expos.

Owners pledged to proceed with plans to eliminate two teams for the 2002 season after the collapse of negotiations with the union that would have resulted in a one-year postponement.

"We intend to go ahead with contraction for the 2002 season and that's where we are," said Rob Manfred, the owners' top labor lawyer.

The union filed a grievance to block contraction, but it appeared Monday the sides would reach a settlement that would delay the plans at least a year.

But the talks stalled, then fell apart Thursday, with each side blaming the other for the breakdown. The owners claim the union wanted too much control in setting parameters as to when and how contraction could occur. The union claimed the owners wanted too much leeway in setting the time-table as well as the ability to change the targeted teams.

As a result, the grievance will continue to be heard by an arbitrator. If the owners win, they still face legal hurdles in Minnesota and a challenging timetable to change schedules and arrange the dispersal of players. The owners insist they can complete the process in time for next season.

METS-AMORPHOSIS: While most teams were quiet, the Mets continued their offseason remaking, signing outfielder Roger Cedeno to an $18-million, four-year contract and reliever David Weathers to a $9.4-million, three-year deal.

Among other deals, the Blue Jays continued their downsizing by sending veteran reliever Paul Quantrill and infield prospect Cesar Izturis to the Dodgers in return for pitchers Luke Prokopec and Chad Ricketts.

Dodgers general manager Dan Evans was pleased to add depth to his bullpen, but still lacks a closer and several starting pitchers.

The White Sox traded three major-league pitchers -- Kip Wells, Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg -- to the Pirates for right-hander Todd Ritchie (35-32 with a 4.29 ERA in three years for Pittsburgh) and minor-league catcher Lee Evans. "We think Ritchie can win 16-18 games," Sox general manager Ken Williams said.

There was continuing talk of deals that would send third baseman Jeff Cirillo from the Rockies to the Mariners, controversial reliever John Rocker from the Indians to Rangers, and either Mets outfielder David Justice or Dodgers outfielder Gary Sheffield to the A's.

Many top-tier free agents, such as Barry Bonds, Juan Gonzalez and Johnny Damon, remain unsigned, though pitcher Chan Ho Park is said to be headed to Texas. The Tigers and Marlins are talking to shortstop Ricky Gutierrez.

Also, Reds manager Bob Boone completed his coaching staff by hiring Jim Lefebvre and Ray Knight. The Phillies sent pitcher Chris Brock to the Orioles for John Wasdin.

Joe Pettini will replace Mark DeJohn as the bench coach for the Cardinals.

LATE ADVENTURE: At about 1:15 Thursday morning, the Red Sox got rid of their biggest headache, trading controversial outfielder Carl Everett to Texas for disappointing left-hander Darren Oliver.

"It's been a struggle for the last year and a half," Boston general manager Dan Duquette said. "This is an extremely interested fan base. Some players can respond to the pressures of this market and play very well. . . . It just didn't work out here."

The Red Sox will pay the difference of about $3-million in the players' salaries, plus a portion of the $4.5-million signing bonus Oliver is owed.

G-MAN: His hair trimmed, his goatee shaved and sporting a three-piece suit, Jason Giambi walked into Yankee Stadium looking like a million dollars -- $120-million to be exact.

Completing a nearly monthlong courtship, the Yankees formally signed Giambi to a seven-year, $120-million contract.

"He's one great kid and I know he's going to be a great Yankee," principal owner George Steinbrenner said.

Giambi grew up in California a Yankees fan and idolized Mickey Mantle.

"This is my best fit," Giambi said. "This was the team I was hoping would come after me. . . . You have the most incredible surroundings to win. Besides the money, all the other things, the intangibles."

Giambi hit .342 with 38 homers and 120 RBIs for Oakland, leading the league in on-base (.477) and slugging (.660) percentage. He turned down a six-year, $91-million extension from Oakland.

Also, the Yankees completed a trade with San Francisco to acquire outfielder John Vander Wal in exchange for reliever Jay Witasick.

BUCK UPDATE: Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck is home after spending a week in the hospital after surgery for lung cancer.

--Times wires also contributed to this report

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright