No time frame, front-runner for Nats' sale

WASHINGTON (AP) - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is done predicting when the Washington Nationals will be sold.
Because lease negotiations with the city are ongoing and three bidders are still yet to interview, Selig said Thursday night he doesn't want to give a time for when a deal will be completed - although he's sure it will be before next season.
He also emphasized that all eight bidding groups are still in contention.
"There is no front-runner now. Each one I meet with, I really am quite impressed, I must say," Selig said. "I thought maybe meeting with each group would make my choice easier. It's making it more difficult, because there are really are a lot of qualified groups."
In the past, Selig has offered several target dates for when Major League Baseball would pick a new owner. The sport's other 29 teams bought the Montreal Expos for $120 million in 2002, and moved the franchise to Washington before the 2005 season.
At first, it was thought the team might be sold early last season, then sometime over the summer, then shortly after the end of the season.
"We want to move as expeditiously as possible. I'm very sensitive about all these issues," he said. "I'll be happy, because, frankly, it's one less thing for me to worry about."
But he also said a stadium lease deal must be settled first. Talks between baseball and city officials were expected to resume Friday.
"We're going to sign a long-term lease here. This team's going to be here for the next two generations," Selig said.
Baseball is balking at Washington's request for guaranteed rent, believed to be about $6 million a year. Taxpayers are funding most of the $535 million ballpark planned on the Anacostia River, south of the U.S. Capitol, and the rent guarantee is designed to protect the city if games are called off because of a work stoppage, natural disaster or terrorist attack.
District officials also asked baseball for a letter of credit.
"Naturally, if you're buying a team, you'd like to know that you have a lease and that you have a ballpark that you can play in. That is not an unusual request," Selig said. "Hopefully they'll get that done quickly and we can get the ownership done quickly and we can move on."

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Selig says there's no timetable, front-runner for sale of Nats

Nov. 17, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is done predicting when the Washington Nationals will be sold.
Because lease negotiations with the city are ongoing and three bidders are still yet to interview, Selig said Thursday night he doesn't want to give a time for when a deal will be completed -- although he's sure it will be before next season.
He also emphasized that all eight bidding groups are still in contention.
"There is no front-runner now. Each one I meet with, I really am quite impressed, I must say," Selig said. "I thought maybe meeting with each group would make my choice easier. It's making it more difficult, because there are really are a lot of qualified groups."
In the past, Selig has offered several target dates for when Major League Baseball would pick a new owner. The sport's other 29 teams bought the Montreal Expos for $120 million in 2002, and moved the franchise to Washington before the 2005 season.
At first, it was thought the team might be sold early last season, then sometime over the summer, then shortly after the end of the season.
"We want to move as expeditiously as possible. I'm very sensitive about all these issues," he said. "I'll be happy, because, frankly, it's one less thing for me to worry about."
But he also said a stadium lease deal must be settled first. Talks between baseball and city officials were expected to resume Friday.
"We're going to sign a long-term lease here. This team's going to be here for the next two generations," Selig said.
Baseball is balking at Washington's request for guaranteed rent, believed to be about $6 million a year. Taxpayers are funding most of the $535 million ballpark planned on the Anacostia River, south of the U.S. Capitol, and the rent guarantee is designed to protect the city if games are called off because of a work stoppage, natural disaster or terrorist attack.
District officials also asked baseball for a letter of credit.
"Naturally, if you're buying a team, you'd like to know that you have a lease and that you have a ballpark that you can play in. That is not an unusual request," Selig said. "Hopefully they'll get that done quickly and we can get the ownership done quickly and we can move on."

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Anderson agrees to deal with Nationals

WASHINGTON (AP) - Free agent Marlon Anderson agreed to a $1.85 million, two-year deal with the Washington Nationals on Friday.
A pinch hitting specialist who came up as a second baseman but also has played at first and in the outfield, Anderson hit .264 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in 235 at-bats with the New York Mets last season.
He batted .321 (18-for-56) with a homer and six RBIs off the bench in 2005, ranking second among NL pinch hitters in hits and fourth in average.
"Marlon Anderson has been one of the best left-handed pinch hitters in baseball the last three years," general manager Jim Bowden said. "One of our goals this offseason was to improve our bench, especially from the left side of the plate. Marlon's signing addresses this issue, and adds a veteran presence in our clubhouse."
In eight seasons with four clubs, Anderson has a .264 average with 47 homers and 296 RBIs. But he's a career .308 pinch hitter, and his 35 hits off the bench the last two seasons are the most in the majors.
Anderson, who turns 32 in January, is the third player to agree to a contract among the 182 who filed for free agency, following left-hander Scott Eyre with the Chicago Cubs and third baseman Geoff Blum with San Diego.
Anderson's deal with the Nationals pays $925,000 per season. He made $750,000 this year.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Cost overruns threaten new D.C. ballpark

WASHINGTON (AP) - Major League Baseball says it has not agreed to pay the District of Columbia's $20 million request to cover cost overruns on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals.
"All these items have been under discussion but there has been no agreement on any single point and there is no agreement until we have a consensus on all points," Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy said Monday night.
Mark Tuohey, who is overseeing stadium construction, testified Monday before the D.C. Council that the $20 million had been agreed upon. Tuohey later clarified his comment in a story posted Monday night on The Washington Post's Web site.
"I didn't say an agreement had been reached on the $20 million," Tuohey told the newspaper. "I said we were close to an agreement."
Tuohey, chairman of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, did not return telephone messages left Monday evening by The Associated Press.
DuPuy told the AP that arbitration is still an option to resolve the impasse.
"If we don't have a lease by Dec. 31, it could go to arbitration," he said.
Tuohey testified at a hearing in which the D.C. Council scrutinized the deal it approved last year that allowed the Montreal Expos to move to Washington and become the Nationals. The council narrowly approved the plan to borrow $535 million to pay for the stadium last year, but three new members who are opposed to a publicly financed ballpark have replaced stadium supporters since then. Members have been seeking ways to cover cost overruns.
"It is not possible for the city to spend more than $535 million because the council has authorized the city to borrow that," said Councilman Jack Evans.
Evans has been a staunch supporter of the baseball agreement, but has also expressed concern about the slow pace of the project.
Baseball said it won't select a prospective new owner until a lease is finalized. Eight groups have offered to pay about $450 million for the franchise, known as the Montreal Expos when it was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002.
Council members threatened to try to change the location of the proposed 41,000-seat ballpark, currently proposed for the Anacostia River waterfront, south of the U.S. Capitol. Many support a plan to put the new stadium next to RFK Stadium, where the Nationals are expected to play through the 2007 season.
"Without major concessions from Major League Baseball, the proposal to build a new stadium on the Southwest waterfront is pretty much dead," said Councilman Jim Graham, one of six members who voted against the deal last year.
City officials urged the council to follow through on the original deal.
"We have a deal with Major League Baseball - a signed contract," said City Administrator Robert C. Bobb. He testified that baseball expects the city to meet the terms of that contract, including construction of the new ballpark.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Athletics agree to three-year deal with Loaiza

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Athletics and free-agent right-hander Esteban Loaiza agreed Monday to a three-year contract worth $21,375,000, adding an experienced pitcher to a starting rotation that already includes Barry Zito and Rich Harden.
The deal includes a 2009 club option on Loaiza, a 12-game winner with the Washington Nationals last season. His victories total was the second-best in the 33-year-old Loaiza's 11-year major league career - he won 21 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2003.
Loaiza joins a team that has almost its entire roster returning from last season, when the A's failed to reach the playoffs for the second straight year. Oakland had a 91-win season in 2004 and 88 victories this year.
After a slow start by its young rotation, Oakland pitched well down the stretch thanks to impressive performances by rookie Joe Blanton and Dan Haren, a 14-game winner in his first full season as a starter.
Loaiza was 12-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 34 starts last season, striking out 173 and walking 55 batters in 217 innings. A two-time All-Star, he bounced back from a 1-4 start this year to go 11-6 with a 3.86 ERA in his 23 outings after June 1.
Loaiza's deal includes a $3 million signing bonus with a spread-out payment schedule and yearly salaries of $5 million, $6 million and $7 million. The A's have a $7.5 million option for 2009 with a $375,000 buyout.
Manager Ken Macha, who parted ways with the team briefly after the season before signing a new deal, was pleased with how well Oakland performed with such a young roster. The A's also dealt with injuries to shortstop Bobby Crosby and No. 2 starter Harden, who took on a greater role after the team traded Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder during a three-day span last December.
Loaiza has a 112-99 career record and a 4.60 ERA in 334 games, 297 starts. His 112 wins are second most in major league history by a Mexican-born pitcher to Fernando Valenzuela's 173.
Loaiza joins his seventh team after breaking into the big leagues with Pittsburgh in 1995. He also played for Texas, Toronto, the White Sox, the New York Yankees and Washington.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Loaiza agrees to three-year deal with Athletics

Nov. 28, 2005
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Esteban Loaiza weighed similar offers from the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants before choosing to stick with what felt most familiar: the American League.
The A's and the free-agent right-hander agreed Monday to a three-year contract worth nearly $21.4 million, adding an experienced pitcher to a starting rotation that already includes Barry Zito and Rich Harden.
"I landed pretty good here with a nice group of guys," Loaiza said when introduced at Oakland's ballpark. "Coming back this year to the American League, it's still fresh. ... I'm happy to be here. I'll do the best job possible for myself, for the team, my new teammates that I'm going to see at spring training. I'll give it my best and try to win a World Series."
The deal, worth $21,375,000, includes a 2009 club option. Loaiza went 12-10 with a 3.77 ERA for the Washington Nationals last season, the second-best win total in his 11-year major-league career. He won 21 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2003.
The 33-year-old Loaiza made the tough decision to turn down a similar offer -- three years without an option -- from the Giants. He has spent most of his career in the AL.
A's general manager Billy Beane made it clear that adding Loaiza doesn't mean he will trade another pitcher. There has been speculation for some time that he might deal Zito, whose contract is up after next season. Beane plans to have discussions with Zito's representatives during a "quieter time in the offseason."
"With Barry in our rotation and Esteban in our rotation, we have a chance for one of the deepest rotations in the league," Beane said.
Loaiza joins a team that has almost its entire roster returning from last season, when the A's failed to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Oakland had a 91-win season in 2004 and 88 victories this year.
John Boggs, Loaiza's agent, was surprised that Beane still had serious interest in the pitcher when other teams became involved. Usually, the A's budget restraints keep them out of deals such as this.
"He kept matching blow for blow," Boggs said.
After a slow start by its young rotation, Oakland pitched well down the stretch thanks to impressive performances by rookie 12-game winner Joe Blanton and Dan Haren, a 14-game winner in his first full season as a starter.
Beane believes Loaiza complements the starters the A's already have, and the GM has had interest in Loaiza for several years. With both Blanton and Haren logging more than 200 innings in 2005, Beane wanted another starter who could take some pressure off his young pitchers.
"You can never have enough pitching," said Beane, still looking to upgrade the offense. "The good thing is he can no longer pitch against us. We think this is a great addition to an already very strong pitching staff."

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

MLB denies report of paying $20 million to D.C.

Nov. 28, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Major League Baseball says it has not agreed to pay the District of Columbia's $20 million request to cover cost overruns on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals.
"All these items have been under discussion but there has been no agreement on any single point and there is no agreement until we have a consensus on all points," Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy said Monday night.
Mark Tuohey, who is overseeing stadium construction, testified Monday before the D.C. Council that the $20 million had been agreed upon. Tuohey later clarified his comment in a story posted Monday night on the Washington Post's website.
"I didn't say an agreement had been reached on the $20 million," Tuohey told the newspaper. "I said we were close to an agreement."
Tuohey, chairman of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, did not return telephone messages left Monday evening by the Associated Press.
DuPuy told the AP that arbitration is still an option to resolve the impasse.
"If we don't have a lease by Dec. 31, it could go to arbitration," he said.
Tuohey testified at a hearing in which the D.C. Council scrutinized the deal it approved last year that allowed the Montreal Expos to move to Washington and become the Nationals. The council narrowly approved the plan to borrow $535 million to pay for the stadium last year, but three new members who are opposed to a publicly financed ballpark have replaced stadium supporters since then. Members have been seeking ways to cover cost overruns.
"It is not possible for the city to spend more than $535 million because the council has authorized the city to borrow that," said councilman Jack Evans.
Evans has been a staunch supporter of the baseball agreement, but has also expressed concern about the slow pace of the project.
Baseball said it won't select a prospective new owner until a lease is finalized. Eight groups have offered to pay about $450 million for the franchise, known as the Montreal Expos when it was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002.
Council members threatened to try to change the location of the proposed 41,000-seat ballpark, currently proposed for the Anacostia River waterfront, south of the U.S. Capitol. Many support a plan to put the new stadium next to RFK Stadium, where the Nationals are expected to play through the 2007 season.
"Without major concessions from Major League Baseball, the proposal to build a new stadium on the Southwest waterfront is pretty much dead," said councilman Jim Graham, one of six members who voted against the deal last year.
City officials urged the council to follow through on the original deal.
"We have a deal with Major League Baseball -- a signed contract," said city administrator Robert C. Bobb. He testified that baseball expects the city to meet the terms of that contract, including construction of the new ballpark.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Baseball pressures D.C. over ballpark

WASHINGTON (AP) - Baseball is concerned that the nation's capital won't honor its agreement to have a new Washington Nationals ballpark ready by 2008.
"We are growing increasingly concerned about the District's ability to meet the agreed-upon December 31, 2005 deadline, by which date a number of critical tasks in the Baseball Stadium Agreement must be completed," Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy said in a letter sent Tuesday to Mayor Anthony Williams and Council Chairman Linda Cropp.
DuPuy repeatedly cited the deadline, when a lease is to be completed, Washington is to be in control of the ballpark site and the funding for the ballpark is to be available.
The D.C. Council has been scrutinizing the deal it approved last year that allowed the Montreal Expos to move to Washington and become the Nationals. The council narrowly approved the plan to borrow $535 million to pay for the stadium last year, but three new members who are opposed to a publicly financed ballpark have replaced stadium supporters since then. Members have been seeking ways to cover cost overruns.
While city officials urged the council to follow through on the original deal, councilman Jim Graham, one of six members who voted against it last year, said at a hearing Monday that the original site is "pretty much dead" without concessions from baseball.
DuPuy's letter points out the importance of meeting the deadline or risk "disillusionment of baseball fans in your community."

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Baseball pressures the District on Washington ballpark

Nov. 29, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Baseball is concerned that the nation's capital won't honor its agreement to have a new Washington Nationals ballpark ready by 2008.
"We are growing increasingly concerned about the District's ability to meet the agreed-upon December 31, 2005 deadline, by which date a number of critical tasks in the Baseball Stadium Agreement must be completed," Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy said in a letter sent Tuesday to Mayor Anthony Williams and Council Chairman Linda Cropp.
DuPuy repeatedly cited the deadline, when a lease is to be completed, Washington is to be in control of the ballpark site and the funding for the ballpark is to be available.
The D.C. Council has been scrutinizing the deal it approved last year that allowed the Montreal Expos to move to Washington and become the Nationals. The council narrowly approved the plan to borrow $535 million to pay for the stadium last year, but three new members who are opposed to a publicly financed ballpark have replaced stadium supporters since then. Members have been seeking ways to cover cost overruns.
While city officials urged the council to follow through on the original deal, councilman Jim Graham, one of six members who voted against it last year, said at a hearing Monday that the original site is "pretty much dead" without concessions from baseball.
DuPuy's letter points out the importance of meeting the deadline or risk "disillusionment of baseball fans in your community."

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Mayor says ballpark site won't be changed

WASHINGTON (AP) - Baseball's chief negotiator on the lease for a new Nationals' ballpark said Thursday that the sport won't consider changing the site unless Washington's mayor asks for it.
Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf met with members of the District of Columbia Council, several of whom oppose Washington's agreement with baseball last year to move the Montreal Expos to the nation's capital.
Reinsdorf said Mayor Anthony Williams has assured him that no change in site will be requested.
Building the stadium at the location south of the Capitol as stipulated in the 2004 agreement could cost $589 million, according to council estimates. Improvements to nearby infrastructure could add another $100 million.
Councilmen Jim Graham and David A. Catania said after the session that Reinsdorf agreed to discuss a different site. Several members want the proposed ballpark built next to 44-year-old RFK Stadium, where the team played last season.
"The city, the mayor, the people we're dealing with, they have not made a proposal to move it to RFK, and they have told us they will not make a proposal," Reinsdorf said in a telephone interview.
Catania said baseball never categorically refused to go to the RFK site and instead was offered the Anacostia site as the preferred option.
"He seemed very open to the notion (of a new site) if it meant closing this deal, and I think we're going to need to find some way of closing this deal," Catania said.
Reinsdorf said the only people backing an RFK site are "a couple of the council members, who really have no standing."
Williams spokesman Vince Morris said the meeting was "being mischaracterized by people who oppose this project."

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Mayor expects ballpark lease to get done on time

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mayor Anthony A. Williams is confident the city and Major League Baseball will agree to a lease for a new Washington Nationals' ballpark without arbitration.
The mayor spoke a day after Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, wrote him to express concern the city would not meet the Dec. 31 deadline in the agreement signed last year that led to the Montreal Expos' move to Washington.
Williams urged ballpark opponents and proponents to tone down their public statements.
"We're under a lot of pressure. We need some help," he said.
Some members of the District of Columbia Council have insisted they will not vote to approve a stadium lease before baseball selected a new owner for the franchise, purchased by the other 29 teams in 2002. Eight groups are seeking to buy the franchise, which MLB is offering for about $450 million.
Baseball officials have said a lease agreement must precede the selection of an owner. Williams told would like to see both announcements at the same time.
The mayor's comments follow days of wrangling over the costs of the proposed 41,000-seat stadium on the Anacostia waterfront, south of the Capitol. Council members have suggested that the project could cost $630 million; the most recent estimate by city officials peg the costs at $589 million.
Legislation approved by council last December caps borrowing for the project at $535 million. Williams and officials with the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission insist they will be able deliver a major league-caliber facility by supplementing the borrowed money with other funding.
The other sources include an $8 million premium on the sale of the bonds, $14 million in interest and as much as $35 million in additional income from a stadium development levy enacted this year.
"We would be able to work out an arrangement where we would get the resources we need up front in return for some concession over time and on the back end," Williams said.
The mayor is hoping the effort mutes suggestions from some quarters that a new stadium be built adjacent to 44-year-old RFK Stadium at less overall expense.
"You're going to be paying the same amount, if you were to move to RFK, to get a lower performing site in terms of benefit to the city," said Williams.
DuPuy did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Reinsdorf to meet with Cropp over Nats stadium

Nov. 30, 2005
WASHINGTON -- City officials will meet with Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf on Thursday to express their concerns about the rising costs of a proposed Washington Nationals stadium.
Reinsdorf, Major League Baseball's point man on lease negotiations, was scheduled for a closed-door session arranged by Council Chair Linda W. Cropp.
The meeting, first reported in the Washington Post, comes a day after Mayor Anthony A. Williams said he didn't think arbitration would be necessary in getting a lease deal done before the Dec. 31 deadline.
Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, wrote city leaders this week to express concern the city would miss that date, which was set forth in the agreement signed last year that led to the Montreal Expos' move to Washington.
Williams urged council members and baseball officials to tone down their public statements. "We're under a lot of pressure. We need some help," he said.
Some council members have insisted they will not vote to approve a stadium lease before baseball selects a new owner for the franchise, purchased by the other 29 teams in 2002. Eight groups are seeking to buy the franchise, which MLB is offering for about $450 million.
Baseball officials have said a lease agreement must precede the selection of an owner.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Mayor expects lease done on time, urges opponents to tone down

Nov. 30, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Mayor Anthony A. Williams is confident the city and Major League Baseball will agree to a lease for a new Washington Nationals' ballpark without arbitration.
The mayor spoke a day after Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, wrote him to express concern the city would not meet the Dec. 31 deadline in the agreement signed last year that led to the Montreal Expos' move to Washington.
Williams urged ballpark opponents and proponents to tone down their public statements.
"We're under a lot of pressure. We need some help," he said.
Some members of the District of Columbia Council have insisted they will not vote to approve a stadium lease before baseball selected a new owner for the franchise, purchased by the other 29 teams in 2002. Eight groups are seeking to buy the franchise, which MLB is offering for about $450 million.
Baseball officials have said a lease agreement must precede the selection of an owner. Williams told would like to see both announcements at the same time.
The mayor's comments follow days of wrangling over the costs of the proposed 41,000-seat stadium on the Anacostia waterfront, south of the Capitol. Council members have suggested that the project could cost $630 million; the most recent estimate by city officials peg the costs at $589 million.
Legislation approved by council last December caps borrowing for the project at $535 million. Williams and officials with the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission insist they will be able deliver a major league-caliber facility by supplementing the borrowed money with other funding.
The other sources include an $8 million premium on the sale of the bonds, $14 million in interest and as much as $35 million in additional income from a stadium development levy enacted this year.
"We would be able to work out an arrangement where we would get the resources we need up front in return for some concession over time and on the back end," Williams said.
The mayor is hoping the effort mutes suggestions from some quarters that a new stadium be built adjacent to 44-year-old RFK Stadium at less overall expense.
"You're going to be paying the same amount, if you were to move to RFK, to get a lower performing site in terms of benefit to the city," said Williams.
DuPuy did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Baseball won't consider change in site for Nats' new ballpark

Dec. 1, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Baseball's chief negotiator on the lease for a new Nationals' ballpark said Thursday that the sport won't consider changing the site unless Washington's mayor asks for it.
Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf met with members of the District of Columbia Council, several of whom oppose Washington's agreement with baseball last year to move the Montreal Expos to the nation's capital.
Reinsdorf said Mayor Anthony Williams has assured him that no change in site will be requested.
Building the stadium at the location south of the Capitol as stipulated in the 2004 agreement could cost $589 million, according to council estimates. Improvements to nearby infrastructure could add another $100 million.
Councilmen Jim Graham and David A. Catania said after the session that Reinsdorf agreed to discuss a different site. Several members want the proposed ballpark built next to 44-year-old RFK Stadium, where the team played last season.
"The city, the mayor, the people we're dealing with, they have not made a proposal to move it to RFK, and they have told us they will not make a proposal," Reinsdorf said in a telephone interview.
Catania said baseball never categorically refused to go to the RFK site and instead was offered the Anacostia site as the preferred option.
"He seemed very open to the notion (of a new site) if it meant closing this deal, and I think we're going to need to find some way of closing this deal," Catania said.
Reinsdorf said the only people backing an RFK site are "a couple of the council members, who really have no standing."
Williams spokesman Vince Morris said the meeting was "being mischaracterized by people who oppose this project."

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Mayor: Constructing Nats' ballpark near RFK would be difficult

Dec. 2, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Mayor Anthony A. Williams said critics of the planned Washington Nationals ballpark south of the Capitol underestimate the cost and difficulty of building near the RFK Stadium site preferred by some members of the District of Columbia Council.
Williams said Friday that the RFK site was not pursued because it would be expensive and would make it difficult for the Nationals to play at RFK while construction is being done nearby.
Williams said he wasn't opposed to a study of the RFK site but said "we should also factor in the difficulty -- which everybody has minimized -- of putting something there."
Major League Baseball's chief negotiator, Jerry Reinsdorf, has said the sport won't consider sites beyond the Southeast plot unless the mayor asks for a change -- and that Williams has assured him that won't happen.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

D.C. council chair says city, MLB have tentative stadium deal

Dec. 3, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Major League Baseball is close to a tentative agreement with the city that would clear the way for a new stadium for the Washington Nationals and the long-awaited sale of the team.
D.C. Council Chair Linda W. Cropp said Saturday on WRC-TV that a deal had been reached with baseball agreeing to contribute $20 million to a contingency fund and guarantee rent payments.
However, a spokesman for Mayor Anthony A. Williams said talks between city officials and baseball are still being held this weekend in Washington.
"We're just not there yet. There are some people who feel a little more confident in saying," spokesman Vince Morris said. "I'd rather have it hand before I claim that we've got a deal."
Baseball has said it will not sell the Nationals until there is a lease agreement. Eight bidders are ready to pay $450 million for the team, which is owned by the other 29 major-league teams.
If approved, the $20 million is expected to go toward covering expected cost overruns on the $535 million state-of-the-art ballpark project south of the Capitol. Baseball would agree to a letter of credit to pay the team's rent in case of a terrorist attack or players' strike.
The Council must still approve the lease before any work can begin on the stadium.
"We think we'll be in a spot within a week or so, maybe two weeks tops, where the Council will have had time to look at it and approve it," Morris said. "Our thought is shortly after that we'll be able to pull the trigger and start building the new stadium, which is what everybody's been hoping we'd do all along."
Cropp said the vote could come Dec. 20 and the Council should have the lease next week.
"The second we've got a deal that we feel is locked in place, we're absolutely going to go forward with it," Morris said.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

MLB, D.C. closer to finalizing new stadium deal

WASHINGTON (AP) - Major League Baseball is close to a tentative agreement with the city that would clear the way for a new stadium for the Washington Nationals and the long-awaited sale of the team.
D.C. Council Chair Linda W. Cropp said Saturday on WRC-TV that a deal had been reached with baseball agreeing to contribute $20 million to a contingency fund and guarantee rent payments.
However, a spokesman for Mayor Anthony A. Williams said talks between city officials and baseball are still being held this weekend in Washington.
"We're just not there yet. There are some people who feel a little more confident in saying," spokesman Vince Morris said. "I'd rather have it hand before I claim that we've got a deal."
Baseball has said it will not sell the Nationals until there is a lease agreement. Eight bidders are ready to pay $450 million for the team, which is owned by the other 29 major league teams.
If approved, the $20 million is expected to go toward covering expected cost overruns on the $535 million state-of-the-art ballpark project south of the Capitol. Baseball would agree to a letter of credit to pay the team's rent in case of a terrorist attack or players' strike.
The Council must still approve the lease before any work can begin on the stadium.
"We think we'll be in a spot within a week or so, maybe two weeks tops, where the Council will have had time to look at it and approve it," Morris said. "Our thought is shortly after that we'll be able to pull the trigger and start building the new stadium, which is what everybody's been hoping we'd do all along."
Cropp said the vote could come Dec. 20 and the Council should have the lease next week.
"The second we've got a deal that we feel is locked in place, we're absolutely going to go forward with it," Morris said.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Cardinals add catcher Bennett, infielder Cruz

Dec. 5, 2005
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals filled two holes on their bench Monday, signing catcher Gary Bennett and infielder Deivi Cruz to one-year, $800,000 contracts.
The players are replacements for infielder Abraham Nunez, who signed a free-agent deal with Philadelphia, and catcher Einar Diaz, who was not tendered an offer.
The 33-year-old Bennett hit .221 in 68 games for Washington last season with one home run and 21 RBI, and pitchers had a 3.87 ERA with him behind the plate. He's a career .243 hitter with 15 homers and 149 RBI in 458 games.
The Cardinals will be the fifth team in five seasons for Bennett, who set career highs for games (96) and RBIs (42) in 2003 with San Diego.
The 33-year-old Cruz hit .265 in 101 games last season for San Francisco and Washington with five homers and 20 RBI. He was dealt to Washington at the trade deadline.
Cruz plays mostly shortstop and second base, but also has 13 games experience at third base. Cruz would earn an additional $50,000 for playing 120 games and $50,000 each for 300 and 350 plate appearances.
The Cardinals have 36 players on their 40-man roster.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Nationals get Soriano in trade with Rangers

The Rangers will get outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, as well as Class AA right-hander Armando Galarraga in the deal.
Wilkerson could end up playing any of the three outfield positions for the Rangers, depending upon what other moves the Rangers make. The increased outfield depth virtually ensures that the Rangers will trade outfielder Kevin Mench for pitching.
The Nationals plan to move Soriano from second base to left field, a change that Soriano might not embrace. Soriano has resisted playing outfield in the past, and he is entering his free-agent year.
The deal was pending physicals, according to a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the swap had not been finalized.
With a rare combination of power and speed, Soriano has been one of the most productive infielders in the majors the past four years. He hit .268 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs and 30 stolen bases last season, when he earned $7.5 million.
Eligible for arbitration, he almost certainly will get a substantial raise next year, and he can become a free agent after the season.
Soriano was acquired by Texas in the February 2004 trade that sent AL MVP Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees.
Galarraga went a combined 6-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 27 starts at Class-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Soriano dealt to Nationals for Wilkerson, two others

Thu Dec 8, 2005
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Texas Rangers traded second baseman Alfonso Soriano to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday for three players, several baseball sources reported.
The Rangers get outfielder/first baseman Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge and a minor leaguer to be named later, according to www.mlb.com.
Soriano hit .268 with 36 home runs, 104 RBI and 30 stolen bases last season and is the key to the deal for the Nationals. In his seven-year career he's hit .280 with 162 home runs, 465 RBI and 169 stolen bases.
With Jose Vidro the Nationals regular second baseman, Soriano is expected to go to the outfield.
The official announcement of the deal is pending physicals, according to several sources.
Wilkerson suffered from several injuries last season and hit just .248 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI, but he can play all three outfield positions and first base and is the key to the deal for Texas.

Source: http://go.reuters.com/

Soriano accepts trade to Nationals

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano, recently traded from the Texas Rangers to the Washington Nationals, said he's used to changes in baseball and accepts the new move as "part of the business."
The Rangers traded Soriano to the Washington Nationals late Wednesday night for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, and minor league pitcher Armando Galarraga.
"It is part of the business. I already went through this when I moved from the Yankees to Texas," Soriano, who has been an All-Star four straight seasons, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
With a rare combination of power and speed, Soriano has been one of the most productive infielders in the majors the past four years. He hit .268 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs and 30 stolen bases last season.
Soriano joined Texas in February 2004 in the deal that sent AL MVP Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees.
He made $7.5 million this year, but is eligible for salary arbitration and almost certainly will get a substantial raise for next season. He also can become a free agent after the 2006 season.
Soriano said he's not worried about moving from the American League to the National League, although he's only played in the American League since he debuted with the Yankees in 2001.
"I have played there in interleague games and it has done me well," he said.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Soriano resisting possible position change

Alfonso Soriano has accepted his trade to the Washington Nationals. But the All-Star second baseman has no interest in playing the outfield, according to a report in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
"I have the same position (on moving) as I always had when I was with Texas," Soriano said. "I said that I'm not going to change from second base."
Soriano told the Star-Telegram that he had anticipated a possible trade. So he was hardly surprised when the Rangers and Nationals finally completed a deal early Thursday morning in which Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge and minor-league pitcher Armando Galarraga were sent packing for the Lone Star State.
"It is part of the business. I already went through this when I moved from the Yankees to Texas," Soriano, who has been an All-Star four straight seasons, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The fact that Soriano faces a position change is hardly surprising. That was a bone of contention with the Rangers, who wanted him to consider a possible move to shortstop or the outfield after he was acquired in the Alex Rodriguez trade in February 2004.
It is thought that the Nationals want Soriano — whom many consider to be a mediocre defensive player — to play left field or center field if their three-time All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro is healthy.
Soriano told the Star-Telegram that he has not talked to anyone from the Nationals, and doubts that they want him to play a new position.
"I think that if they traded for me, it's to play second base."
Does he have any control over a possible position switch?
"Obviously, I have the control," he said. "Of course I'm not going to play the outfield."
With a rare combination of power and speed, Soriano has been one of the most productive infielders in the majors the past four years. He hit .268 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs and 30 stolen bases last season.
He made $7.5 million this year, but is eligible for salary arbitration and almost certainly will get a substantial raise for next season. He also can become a free agent after the 2006 season.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Washington and MLB agree on stadium lease

WASHINGTON (AP) - The District of Columbia and Major League Baseball agreed Friday on a lease for a new Washington Nationals' ballpark, a deal that if approved will clear the biggest obstacle remaining before the team is sold.
The agreement, subject to approval by the D.C. Council in a vote set for Dec. 20, will lead to the sale of $535 million in bonds to cover construction costs for the proposed 41,000-seat ballpark, to be built about a mile south of the Capitol.
Bob DuPuy, the baseball's chief operating officer, said a new owner would not be chosen from among the eight bidding groups until after a lease agreement. The franchise, then known as the Montreal Expos, was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002 and was moved to Washington last winter.
"This lease moves us one step closer to building a beautiful, state-of-the-art ballpark along the Anacostia River," Mayor Anthony A. Williams said. "We've negotiated a good deal for the city and persuaded Major League Baseball to concede on many fronts."
Provisions include $20 million from baseball to help cover cost overruns. If the Nationals are moved out of the city during the term of the lease, the city has the right to seek damages, including the cost of stadium construction.
The Nationals will pay rent ranging from $3.5 million in the first year to $5.5 million in the sixth year, with additional rent payments based on attendance if the team sells more the 2.5 million tickets. The Nationals will have the naming rights to the ballpark and will pay no property taxes.
"We worked hard to accommodate the areas of pressing concern identified by the city," DuPuy said. "We appreciate the hard work and cooperation of all those who were involved in forging this agreement. We now look forward to a favorable vote by the city council."
Critics of the stadium deal have called for the council to hire an outside consultant to review the lease. They are concerned about the graduating rent payments.
"It wouldn't kill us to go outside our 13 members and ask for technical advice," Councilman David A. Catania said.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

D.C., MLB agree on stadium lease; finding owner next step

Dec. 9, 2005
WASHINGTON -- The District of Columbia and Major League Baseball agreed Friday on a lease for a new Washington Nationals ballpark, a deal that if approved will clear the biggest obstacle remaining before the team is sold.
The agreement, subject to approval by the D.C. Council in a vote set for Dec. 20, will lead to the sale of $535 million in bonds to cover construction costs for the proposed 41,000-seat ballpark, to be built about a mile south of the Capitol.
Bob DuPuy, the baseball's chief operating officer, said a new owner would not be chosen from among the eight bidding groups until after a lease agreement. The franchise, then known as the Montreal Expos, was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002 and was moved to Washington last winter.
"This lease moves us one step closer to building a beautiful, state-of-the-art ballpark along the Anacostia River," Mayor Anthony A. Williams said. "We've negotiated a good deal for the city and persuaded Major League Baseball to concede on many fronts."
Provisions include $20 million from baseball to help cover cost overruns. If the Nationals are moved out of the city during the term of the lease, the city has the right to seek damages, including the cost of stadium construction.
The Nationals will pay rent ranging from $3.5 million in the first year to $5.5 million in the sixth year, with additional rent payments based on attendance if the team sells more the 2.5 million tickets. The Nationals will have the naming rights to the ballpark and will pay no property taxes.
"We worked hard to accommodate the areas of pressing concern identified by the city," DuPuy said. "We appreciate the hard work and cooperation of all those who were involved in forging this agreement. We now look forward to a favorable vote by the city council."
Critics of the stadium deal have called for the council to hire an outside consultant to review the lease. They are concerned about the graduating rent payments.
"It wouldn't kill us to go outside our 13 members and ask for technical advice," Councilman David A. Catania said.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Nationals sign Fick, Eischen; Soriano deal official

Dec. 13, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Utilityman Robert Fick and reliever Joey Eischen signed one-year deals Tuesday with the Washington Nationals. The team also formally announced the trade for Alfonso Soriano and added four catchers to compete for a reserve role.
Fick hit .265 with three homers and 30 RBI in 93 games with San Diego last season. He has played first base, catcher and in the outfield, and joins earlier free-agent additions Damian Jackson and Marlon Anderson to give Washington a versatile bench.
Eischen, the only left-hander on Washington's pitching staff for stretches of 2005, was 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 57 relief appearances. He stranded 40 of 48 inherited runners, an 83.3 percentage that ranked fifth in the NL.
Washington signed catchers Wiki Gonzalez, Mike DiFelice, Alberto Castillo and Brandon Harper to minor league contracts. All spent time at Triple-A last season.
Gary Bennett, the backup to starting catcher Brian Schneider last season, left as a free agent and signed with St. Louis.
Soriano, a four-time All-Star, was traded by Texas to the Nationals for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge and minor-league pitcher Armando Galarraga. The teams agreed to the deal last week during baseball's winter meetings in Dallas.
"By acquiring Alfonso Soriano, we have added one of the game's dominant offensive players. We believe Alfonso's power from the right side and speed will take our lineup to new heights," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said.
Soriano hit .268 with 36 homers, a career-best 104 RBI and 30 steals last season. He's averaged 35 homers, 97 RBI and 31 steals over the past four seasons.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Nationals need a spot for Soriano

Tuesday December 13, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Nationals completed the first major move of their challenging offseason Tuesday when the Alfonso Soriano trade became official. The next challenge? Figuring out where he's going to play.
The Nationals obtained the four-time All-Star second baseman from Texas for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge and minor league pitcher Armando Galarraga. The teams agreed to the deal last week during baseball's winter meetings in Dallas.
Washington already has an All-Star second baseman, Jose Vidro, and Soriano has resisted previous attempts to move to the outfield. General manager Jim Bowden said he had yet to speak to Soriano about his role with the Nationals and that the only thing that has been determined is that he will bat in the heart of the lineup.
"He's such a great athlete that he's able to play other positions," Bowden said. "He could play center, he could play left. Winning players always care about the name on the front of the jersey more than the name on the back of the jersey. I've had instances before in my career where star players have had to change positions. Players normally like the position that they're playing, and that's understandable. If we decided to move him, it'll be because it's in the best interest of the name on the front of the jersey."
Bowden said he's already had inquiries from several teams about Soriano, but he said his ideal lineup contains both Soriano and Vidro, assuming Vidro can fully recover from a knee injury. The Nationals desperately need starting pitching, but Bowden said he would rather achieve that goal through free agency rather than trade a good hitter.
"We're trying to score more runs," Bowden said. "Last year we were last in runs scored, last in home runs in baseball, so we're trying to make that better."
Soriano hit .268 with 36 homers, a career-best 104 RBIs and 30 steals last season. He's averaged 35 homers, 97 RBIs and 31 steals over the past four seasons.
Bowden announced several other moves. Reliever Joey Eischen signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract, and utilityman Robert Fick signed an $850,000 deal. Catchers Wiki Gonzalez, Mike DiFelice, Alberto Castillo and Brandon Harper were signed to minor league contracts and will compete to replace last year's backup, Gary Bennett, who left as a free agent and signed with St. Louis.
The search for quality pitching is reaching crisis proportions. The Nationals have lost Esteban Loaiza and Hector Carrasco via free agency and were outbid for A.J. Burnett and Matt Morris. Bowden said the "market is such that it became a runway train" and that he's not confident of landing a top-notch starter.
"I'm not confident at all," Bowden said. "We're trying, but it's a very, very difficult market. You watched St. Louis walk away from Matt Morris. Matt Morris has been one of their best pitchers for a long time and they walked away because of the money. ... As a fan, you want to get these guys, but that's a lot of money that teams are investing. If it doesn't work out, you're stuck. We're going to keep trying to get pitching. That's been our goal, and it hasn't changed since."
Bowden said some players are reluctant to sign with the Nationals because the team has yet to be sold. The sale has been delayed while baseball and the city work on a lease for a new ballpark.
"We can't overcome the fact that we don't have an owner yet," Bowden said. "All we can promise them is by the beginning of spring training we'll have one -- at least I think we can promise that."
Fick hit .265 with three homers and 30 RBIs in 93 games with San Diego last season. He has played first base, catcher and in the outfield, and joins earlier free-agent additions Damian Jackson and Marlon Anderson to give Washington a versatile bench.
Eischen, the only left-hander on Washington's pitching staff for stretches of 2005, was 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 57 relief appearances. He stranded 40 of 48 inherited runners, an 83.3 percentage that ranked fifth in the NL.
Bowden also said he has spoken to manager Frank Robinson about a contract for the 2006 season.
"We're working on it," Bowden said.

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/

Robinson to return as Nationals manager

WASHINGTON (AP) - Frank Robinson was rehired Thursday as manager of the Washington Nationals after a lengthy delay caused by the team's lack of a permanent owner.
Robinson, who turned 70 in August, had been uncertain of his status since the end of the season. While baseball officials originally said a new owner for the Nationals would be selected by Labor Day, the commissioner's office still hasn't identified which of the bidding groups will get the franchise.
With spring training two months away, general manager Jim Bowden began talks last week to bring back Robinson for a fifth season.
"We said from the outset that we wanted to wait until new owners were in place," Bowden said. "We also said there would come a time where we couldn't wait any longer, and that time has come."
Robinson was hired by the commissioner's office to manage the Montreal Expos after the franchise was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002. Robinson initially expected to hold the job for one year while the team was eliminated, but instead the franchise was moved to Washington at the end of last year.
It appears unlikely that a new owner will be in place in time to make significant changes prior to spring training.
"It was the situation, and I understood," Robinson said. "Still, to get into December without a contract, it gets a little worrisome."
Despite the lowest payroll in the NL East, Robinson had the Nationals in first place for much of the season before they faded to finish 81-81. He is 314-334 in four seasons.
"I thought overall it was a very good year," Robinson said. "We had a good first half and a terrible second half. In spring training, if you asked people what would you be happy with, I think they would have said they would be happy with a .500 record."
However, Robinson was not able to keep most of his assistants. Bench coach Eddie Rodriguez and pitching coach Randy St. Claire will return, but hitting coach Tom McCraw, first-base coach Don Buford, bullpen coach Bob Natal and third-base coach Dave Huppert will not.
"Absolutely it's a point of concern," Robinson said. "Any time you have a staff together and you feel like you work well with your staff, and you get results, it's a concern. You'd like to keep your people together and grow with them. This certainly is a big hit, that many coaches from one offseason. What we'll try to do now is try to recoup and put the best staff together."
Bowden said that management felt the changes were needed and that Robinson had input on the decisions. "He didn't agree with all of the decisions," Bowden said.
Robinson said he hopes baseball will complete the sale of the Nationals soon.
"That will be a real positive day for baseball in D.C.," Robinson said. "It will put us on the same level as every other ballclub."

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

Robinson returns for fifth year as Nationals manager

Dec. 15, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Frank Robinson will return for a fifth season as manager of the Washington Nationals.
Robinson, who turned 70 in August, was re-signed after two months of offseason limbo while the team's sale and stadium deals continued to be negotiated. With the team still unsold and spring training two months away, general manager Jim Bowden began talks last week to bring back Robinson for another season.
Robinson was hired by Major League Baseball to manage the Montreal Expos after the franchise was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002. Robinson initially expected to hold the job for one year while the team was eliminated, but instead the franchise was moved to Washington at the end of last year.
Robinson is 314-334 with the Expos/Nationals, including 81-81 this year.
The Nationals also announced that bench coach Eddie Rodriguez and pitching coach Randy St. Claire will be retained for 2006. Hitting coach Tom McCraw, first-base coach Don Buford, bullpen coach Bob Natal and third-base coach Dave Huppert will not return.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

Robinson to manage Nationals for one more season

Fri Dec 16, 2005
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Frank Robinson was rehired as manager of the Washington Nationals after the veteran signed a one-year contract on Thursday.
Last season, the Nationals led the National League East as late as July 20 and remained in the wild card chase until mid-September, finishing fifth with a record of 81-81.
In four seasons with the Nationals (who were the Montreal Expos until moving last season), Robinson has compiled a 314-334 record with one of the lowest payrolls in the major leagues.
"After thinking about this thing on Wednesday night, I said, 'Why drag this thing out and hang people out (to dry)?"' the 70-year-old Robinson told MLB.com.
"I told (general manager) Jim Bowden that I would agree to terms to manage this ballclub."
The American League manager of the year in 1989, Robinson became baseball's first black manager on October 4, 1974 when he took over in Cleveland.
Robinson's 994 victories rank sixth among active managers, behind only Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Dusty Baker and Mike Hargrove.
"We are happy to have Frank back," Bowden said.
"He kept the team competitive even though it had one of the lowest payrolls in the NL East."

Source: http://go.reuters.com/