Owners Tender A New Twist In Trying To Keep Payrolls Down

The holiday mail traditionally brings special greetings to major league baseball players.

Except for free agents and those players already signed for the next season, all contracts for that season must be postmarked by Dec. 20.

In recent years, however, the process of tendering contracts has not been that simple or automatic.

The 28 clubs have begun to turn a system they are trying to overhaul to their advantage.

An increasing number of veteran players - particularly those eligible for salary arbitration - have been forced into the free-agent pool when their clubs simply failed to offer a contract for the next season.

The non-tender does not necessarily sever a player’s relationship with his former club.

A non-tendered player can still be re-signed by that club, but it is a way for the clubs to circumvent the 20 percent pay cut that is maximum in contracts tendered before Dec. 20. It’s also a way for the clubs to avoid the uncertain and expensive process of arbitration.

“It’s one of the few ways we have to control some costs and cuts,” general manager Lee Thomas of the Philadelphia Phillies said. “It’s one way for us to use the system to our advantage.”

Combined with an infusion of younger players and the willingness of clubs to part with their own free agents by not offering arbitration, the non-tender process has helped diminish the middle class, compounding what is now known as the “Hollywoodization” of baseball.

In other words: The marquee players are still receiving major salaries, but an increasing percentage of the supporting cast is playing for scale.

Last year, according to figures compiled by management’s Player Relations Committee, the median salary dropped 39 percent to $275,000.

There were 238 players with less than one year of major league experience on Aug. 31 rosters, an increase of 100.

In 1991, only 17 players were not tendered contracts for the next season. That number jumped to 39 the next year, fell slightly to 35 in ‘93 and jumped again to a record 45 before the 1995 season.

Of those 45 players not tendered contracts, 39 were eligible for salary arbitration.

The arbitration process began in 1974. Only eight players, a record low, went to hearings last year and ultimately had their 1995 salary determined by an impartial arbitrator.

Big deals still to be had

Hard-line owner H. Wayne Huizenga spent $8.6 million on a three-year deal to bring left-hander Al Leiter - and his 33-32 career record - to the Florida Marlins.

Drayton McLane, another owner who says baseball needs a new economic system, agreed to a $22.36 million, four-year deal with second baseman Craig Biggio.

Acting commissioner Bud Selig, the loudest voice in favor of change, says he wasn’t surprised by the big deals.

“I think it’s gone on about the way one would have thought,” he said Friday night. “You’ve had intense competition for some of the bigger names that were available this winter, and I think that was expected.”

No rush

When Cleveland’s Albert Belle went into his expletive-filled tirade at NBC’s Hannah Storm, baseball officials promised quick action. Thus far, there’s been no decision, and baseball insiders say the players’ association is voicing objection to any penalty.

Selig would say only that he expects the ruling executive council to make a decision “late this month or early next month.”

Some involved in baseball’s disciplinary process say that Belle should receive counseling rather be fined and-or suspended. The Indians are said to object to any penalty.

Ozzie probably to return

Ozzie Smith will apparently be back with the St. Louis Cardinals next season, and Gary Gaetti may be joining him.

The Cardinals confirmed that Smith had been cleared by an independent physician to play next year. Smith has had arm problems both before and after having arm surgery after last season.

The Cardinals acquired 25-year-old Royce Clayton from San Francisco on Thursday. He presumably will become the starter at shortstop.

And the Cardinals may soon have a new third baseman. General manager Walt Jocketty said he was close to signing an infielder, and sources told the Post-Dispatch it will be Gaetti, 37.

Gaetti hit 35 homers and drove in 96 runs for Kansas City last season.

Macfarlane signs

Free-agent catcher Mike Macfarlane is back with the Kansas City Royals after signing a two-year contract.

Macfarlane played for the Royals his entire career until going to the Boston Red Sox last season.

He hit .225 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI in 115 games with Boston.

The right-handed Macfarlane is a lifetime .251 hitter with 91 home runs and 360 RBI.

“We’re delighted to have Mike back,” Royals general manager Herk Robinson said. “We’ve identified a handful of veteran leaders we’d like to have on the club and he joins Mark Gubizca and Jeff Montgomery in that role.”

To make room for Macfarlane, the Royals designated catcher Brent Mayne for assignment.

Former N.L. umpire dies

Paul Pryor, a National League umpire from 1961 to 1981, died Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla., after a lengthy illness. He was 68.

Pryor umpired the World Series in 1967, 1973 and 1980, worked the All-Star game in 1963, 1971 and 1978, and umpired the playoffs in 1970, 1974 and 1977.