It Seems Likely Gooden Will Play

If Dwight Gooden wants to return to baseball, there is a team owner in the Puerto Rican Winter League anxious to sign him.

Harry Cook Miranda, owner of the Ponce Lions, said Wednesday he had spoken to Gooden and there was mutual interest in the former Cy Young Award winner’s return to baseball.

Due to Gooden’s suspension from baseball for substance abuse, Cook said he was unable to discuss financial terms with the former New York Mets star. But he said that Gooden and his agent, Ray Negron, were open to the possibility of Gooden playing here.

“We got permission from the major leagues to at least speak to him, and we did,” Cook said. “And he seemed to be very interested in the possibility of coming down here. We couldn’t discuss financial terms, but we did talk about how many outings, innings and other nonfinancial details. He seemed excited and I’m excited.”

Gooden’s suspension expires Sunday.

“We agreed to speak again on Oct. 2 and maybe then we’ll have something more concrete,” Cook said. “His agent has called several times since and the interest is there.”

The Lions have a working agreement with the Florida Marlins, an organization which has also been talking to Gooden about a possible return.