The failed attempt to eliminate the Twins and Expos this season could wind up costing owners money.
The players’ association is pressing ahead with its grievance that claims owners violated their labor agreement when they voted in November to fold two teams and the union said Wednesday it intends to seek damages.
“That’s one of the issues in the case,” said Gene Orza, the union’s No. 2 official. “Obviously, there is a liability phase.”
Agents claim it has been harder to find jobs for their players during this off-season than in the past and cite the uncertainly caused by contraction and a possible dispersal draft.
Owners claim they can eliminate teams but must bargain only on effects, such as a draft, according to Rob Manfred, their chief labor lawyer.
If arbitrator Shyam Das agrees with the union’s contention that owners violated the labor contract and with the claim management damaged the free-agent market, the grievance would move on to how much money players lost.
Meanwhile, lawyers continued to negotiate on the proposed $158.5 million sale of the Marlins from John Henry to Jeffrey Loria, who intends to sell the Expos to the other 29 teams for $120 million. Henry still doesn’t have a signed deal with Loria.
– Owners have asked Philadelphia-based U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III to stay his decision ordering them to rehire nine of the 22 umpires who lost their jobs following a failed mass resignation two years ago.
