Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz.ó Some baseball owners say it may 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 may 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. But it could become an issue when the present collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2011 season ó especially if the economy worsens.
SANTANANEW YORK ó Johan Santana is unsure whether he’ll be able to pitch in the World Baseball Classic following offseason knee surgery.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner said Wednesday he’d love to play for his native Venezuela in March, but the New York Mets will determine whether to clear him for the WBC.
ANGELSANAHEIM, Calif. ó The Los Angeles Angels avoided arbitration with versatile Chone Figgins by agreeing Wednesday to a $5,775,000, one-year contract with the team’s career stolen base leader.
GOMEZ DIES
ANAHEIM, Calif. ó The first manager in San Diego Padres’ history has died.
Preston Gomez was 85. He died Tuesday in Fullerton, Calif.
Gomez took over the expansion Padres in 1969 and later managed the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs.
YANKEE MOVE
NEW YORK ó Shelley Duncan cleared waivers by the New York Yankees, who then invited him to major league spring training.
He is the brother of St. Louis outfielder Chris Duncan and son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan.
DODGERSLOS ANGELES ó Guillermo Mota and the Dodgers finalized a one-year, $2.35 million contract Wednesday to bring the reliever back to Los Angeles.