Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Erickson Tangled In Red-Tape War

Compiled From Wire Services

Twins pitcher Scott Erickson, a restricted free agent under the salary cap owners implemented Dec. 23, was believed to have agreed to the outline of a three-year contract with the Rockies on Friday.

The Twins’ pitcher, one of 38 restricted free agents under the owners’ system, was free to sign an offer sheet with any team. But the Twins would have had 10 days to match any offer.

However, under pressure from the National Labor Relations Board, owners agreed to rescind the cap and restore all of baseball’s old business rules, effective Monday.

That means Erickson reverts back to the Twins. If a new labor agreement isn’t reached, he will be among a group of 123 major leaguers who have filed for salary arbitration.