PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Bud Selig leaned against an ATM after emerging from the major-league owners meeting Thursday.
The machine’s screen read: “OUT OF SERVICE.”
“Some owner needed money and took all the money out,” Selig said with a smile.
The commissioner’s wisecrack came after the owners wrapped up two days of meetings at a mountainside resort, with a sobering discussion of the recession and what it means to the sport.
The economy hasn’t affected the Yankees, who have spent nearly a half-billion dollars on free agents this offseason — a splurge that had some owners here wondering whether baseball needs a salary cap. Meanwhile, the baseball-owned MLB Network, launched on New Year’s Day, is spending more than $50 million to hire staff, build sets and renovate its facility.
Elsewhere, there has been anecdotal evidence of the economy’s impact, in lagging ticket sales and lost sponsorships. But Selig said it’s too early to tell how the recession will affect teams this season.
“We talked a fair amount about that,” Selig said. “I don’t think anybody can tell yet. There are a lot of clubs doing business, and others are struggling.”
Selig declined to offer specifics.
Also Thursday:
• Owners met with Fox Sports president Ed Goren, and Selig pressed for earlier start times for World Series games, which usually begin at around 6:30 p.m. MDT.
• All postseason games will be played to their conclusion.
• Owners voted to use head-to-head records to replace coin flips when determining home-field advantage for tiebreaker games in division and wild-card races.
Dodgers release Jones
LOS ANGELES — Center fielder Andruw Jones, a $36.2 million bust with the Dodgers, was released.
Jones was injured part of last season and was mostly ineffective otherwise, hitting only .158 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 75 games. There has been speculation Jones might rejoin the Braves, his former team.
Footnotes.
The Red Sox and infielder Kevin Youkilis agreed to a four-year contract worth about $41 million, with a $13 million club option for 2013 or a $1 million buyout.
The Red Sox also re-signed outfielder Mark Kotsay to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $1.5 million.
• David Eckstein and the Padres agreed on a one-year contract, and the 2006 World Series MVP is expected to play second base.
• Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said he thinks his surgically repaired left shoulder is progressing as expected, but there’s a chance he might not be ready to join the lineup on opening day.
• Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Jonathan Papelbon were among 111 players who filed for salary arbitration. Players who haven’t settled with their teams will exchange figures Tuesday.
• The White Sox and right-hander Bartolo Colon agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract.
• Right-hander Dave Bush and the Brewers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $4 million, one-year contract.
• Michael Young said he will accept the Rangers’ decision to move him to third base, even though the five-time all-star shortstop initially asked to be traded and still doesn’t agree with the plan. The Associated Press
