PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Some baseball owners suggest it could be time to reconsider a salary cap after the New York Yankees spent nearly a half-billion dollars on free agents during a recession that might cause some teams to retrench.
“I would ask, if it’s such a bad idea, what sport doesn’t have a salary cap other than us?” Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said Wednesday.
A salary cap isn’t on the agenda of the major-league owners meetings this week at an exclusive mountainside resort, but it could become an issue when the present collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2011 season — especially if the economy worsens.
“There’s no question that, a market like Pittsburgh, a salary cap would be advantageous,” Pirates owner Bob Nutting said.
• The Los Angeles Angels avoided arbitration with versatile Chone Figgins by agreeing to a $5,775,000, one-year contract.
• Designated hitter and outfielder Jack Cust and the Oakland Athletics agreed to a $2.8 million, one- year contract.
Meanwhile, MLB commissioner Bud Selig has given the Athletics permission to “discuss a ballpark with other communities” if officials in Fremont, Calif., don’t quickly approve a proposed new stadium.
• Reliever Fernando Rodney agreed to a $2.7 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, who also struck a one-year deal with outfielder Marcus Thames worth $2,275,000.
• Outfielder Gabe Gross and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a $1,255,000, one-year contract.
• Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes was told by a judge to make about $40,000 in court-ordered payments to his estranged wife by Jan. 23 or face a 90-day jail sentence.
Luongo set to return to net
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo will return from a Nov. 22 groin injury tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired center Jason Williams from the Atlanta Thrashers for defenseman Clay Wilson and their sixth- round pick in the 2009 draft.
Footnotes.
Top-ranked golfer Lorena Ochoa, 27, is engaged to 39-year-old Andres Conesa, the director general of Aeromexico airline, one of her sponsors.
• Lee White, the president of Toyota Racing Development, said he expects budget cuts in its NASCAR program as the Japanese automaker feels the effects of the global economic crisis.
• Re/Max International, citing the economic crisis, will end its title sponsorship of the ARCA Series following the 2009 season.
• Dave Mahan, a member of the group that owned 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide who had been hospitalized since Dec. 26 with a brain tumor, died in Waterbury, Conn. He was 61.
• Manchester City offered a record $145 million to buy AC Milan midfielder Kaka, who said the Italian team will decide his future.
• The Los Angeles Galaxy acquired midfielder Mike Magee from the New York Red Bulls for a second-round pick in today’s MLS SuperDraft.
The Associated Press
