Baseball : Ted Turner’s Financial Situation Has Other Owners Concerned

Who owns the Atlanta Braves? Has Captain Outrageous given up the ship?

Not yet, but Ted Turner’s tenuous control of Turner Broadcasting System, the parent company of the Braves and the National Basketball Assn.’s Atlanta Hawks, has become a subject of concern and conversation among major league owners

The National League, in fact, has already examined the ramifications of the continuing changes in Turner’s empire and voted approval of a minority purchase of the Braves.

The American League will continue its own study at the winter meetings opening here today.

“We don’t want to throw a monkey wrench into (the possible change in ownership) but some clubs don’t like what it portends,” an American League official said.

He alluded to the spreading tentacles of cable television and the possibility of an almost clandestine change in club ownership without baseball’s approval.

Turner is no longer sole owner of Turner Broadcast System and could soon lose control of the board of directors.

The situation developed when Turner encountered financial problems after his purchase of the MGM film library in 1986. He was bailed out briefly when Tele-Communications, Inc., of Denver, the nation’s largest cable-systems operator, and a group of other cable operators, including Time, Inc., purchased a 37% minority interest for $550 million.

Now Turner is trying to sell another 25% to NBC to finance dividends for the holders of $560 million of preferred stock that was sold to finance the MGM purchase. If Turner fails to meet the June dividend payments, the stockholders--a group of the minority owners--would be able to gain control of Turner’s board by electing two new members. As it is, Turner must gain board approval for major decisions.

The National League, for the time being, apparently believes that Turner still runs the ship. The American League isn’t sure and doesn’t want to have to check CNN or TBS listings for latest details.

Certain to be heard at the winter meetings:

--The Cincinnati Reds are attempting to trade Dave Parker.

They reportedly believe that Parker failed to provide leadership during the second half of last season, are concerned about their salary structure with the possibility of 11 arbitration cases this winter and believe that Tracy Jones and Paul O’Neill are prepared to pick up the offensive slack.

Don’t look for a blockbuster. The Reds may be agreeable to taking pitcher Charlie Hudson from the New York Yankees or pitcher Gene Nelson from the Oakland Athletics, though they would prefer A’s flame thrower Jose Rijo.

--With the apparent retirement of Reggie Jackson and the possible departure of Mike Davis and Dwayne Murphy as free agents, the A’s would be without a left-handed power threat. Thus, the interest in Parker.

Says A’s General Manager Sandy Alderson: “Our goal is to come out of the winter meetings as favorite to win the American League West. I don’t think we’re that far away now.”

--The Dodgers’ interest in Oakland shortstop Alfredo Griffin is tempered by a thumb injury Griffin suffered when he was hit by a pitch in September. He is trying to play in the Dominican Winter League but continues to be bothered and could face surgery.

It is also tempered by the A’s wanting Bob Welch in exchange.

Would they take Mike Marshall?

Alderson reportedly told Bay Area writers that he is skeptical about Marshall, who has a history of injury and illness.

--If it’s not Parker, the A’s may deal for Mike Young, a left-handed hitting outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles.

They may also choose to re-sign Davis, who hit .292 with 20 homers in the first half of last season and .224 with 2 homers in the second. Davis reportedly wants a 3-year, $3-million contract.

“I don’t think he earned that kind of contract from the Oakland A’s,” Manager Tony LaRussa said.

--The Philadelphia Phillies are prepared to trade outfielder Glenn Wilson and relief pitcher Mike Jackson to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Phil Bradley.

The deal is reportedly set, pending approval of Mariner owner George Argyros, who will not return from a hunting trip in Mexico until Tuesday.

--Oriole owner Edward Bennett Williams and new general manager Roland Hemond are saying publicly that they have given up trying to satisfy first baseman Eddie Murray’s trade desires and are trying to convince him that he can live happily ever after in Baltimore--as if a $2 million a year contract isn’t enough.

Privately, however, they would still like to dump the salary by trading Murray to the Dodgers for a package involving Welch or Orel Hershiser.

--Adding to the pitching woes of the once-proud Orioles, they now fear that Don Aase may be finished in the wake of elbow and shoulder operations.

--The Chicago Cubs are attempting to move Jody Davis, Keith Moreland or Leon Durham, all of whom make $1 million or more a year. In the last two years, Durham has hit only .208 in night games, driving in 27 runs.

--How about Cub second baseman Ryne Sandburg to St. Louis for second baseman Tom Herr and center fielder Willie McGee, who would be replaced by American Assn. batting champion Lance Johnson?

--The New York Yankees are negotiating with Angel free agent Mike Witt, and it’s no wonder. New York’s pitching is again in disarray, with Ron Guidry scheduled for exploratory surgery on a possible rotator cuff condition and Dave Righetti, Tommy John and Bill Gullickson free agents.

--With touted replacements in third baseman Eddie Williams and shortstop Jay Bell, the Cleveland Indians are attempting to trade Brook Jacoby and Julio Franco for desperately needed pitching help.

Franco’s attitude continues to scare off most bidders, however, and the Indians continue to reject a reported Toronto offer of Dave Stieb for Jacoby because of their preference for Blue Jay left-hander Jimmy Key and Stieb’s large contract.

The Indians have failed to produce a 10-game winner in two of the last three years and their earned-run average of 5.28 was the highest in the major leagues since the Kansas City A’s had a 5.35 in 1965.

--The New York Mets may trade Mookie Wilson to the Indians for a minor league prospect. Wilson would probably prefer to remain in New York and continue platooning with Lenny Dykstra.

--Calvin Schiraldi could be returning to the Mets in a deal that would send left-hander Jesse Orosco, unhappy with his lack of work in 1987, to the Boston Red Sox.

The Boston relief corps had a 5.45 ERA last season, highest in the major leagues. Schiraldi and Wes Gardner were the only Boston relievers with saves, posting 6 and 10 respectively.

--The A’s will make no attempt to re-sign free agent pitchers Moose Haas and Joaquin Andujar.

Andujar is expected to sign with the Houston Astros. He is said to be 25 pounds overweight, hardly one tough Dominican anymore, but Astro Manager Hal Lanier, a St. Louis coach when Andujar had his best years there, seems to believe he can restore some pride and magic.

--The Dodgers and Red Sox may not even announce that they have agreed on the player to be named in the late-season deal that brought Glenn Hoffman to Los Angeles. The Dodgers will be sending former Fresno State pitcher Bill Bartels, a 24th-round selection in the ’86 draft, to Boston. Better never than late?

Arbitrator Tom Roberts will not have a ruling on the remedy phase of his collusion decision until mid-February at the earliest.

In the meantime, the signings of Brett Butler and Chili Davis and the willingness of a few clubs to talk seriously with Witt and other free agents indicates at least a slight thaw in that market, though for some, things haven’t changed.

Jack Morris, the Detroit Tigers’ bellwether who was unable to sell his services last winter, said he has yet to receive an offer--except from the Tigers.

“If there’s a women’s softball team that needs a player or coach, I’m willing to listen,” Morris said.

The likelihood is that he will re-sign with the Tigers, who have reportedly offered $3.9 million for two years. Morris wants to be baseball’s highest-salaried pitcher, which would mean $4.2 million for two years.

The Cubs’ Rick Sutcliffe will be paid $2.1 million in 1988, edging past the Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela, who moves to $2.05 million next year.

The high price of success? The World Series champion Minnesota Twins, who drew two million in attendance for the first time, may have seven players making more than $1 million in 1988.

Kent Hrbek, Tom Brunansky and Bert Blyleven were already signed to multi-year contracts calling for salaries of $1 million or more next season. Kirby Puckett and Frank Viola are expected to pursue that figure in salary arbitration. Jeff Reardon has exercised a contract prerogative and demanded renegotiation of his $850,000 salary.

Then there’s free agent Gary Gaetti, who made $950,000 last year and has instructed agent Jim Bronner to inform six clubs that he would be interested in signing if he doesn’t re-sign with the Twins.

Can the Twins envision not signing their playoff MVP and Gold Glove third baseman?

“In this business, you can envision going into the season without anybody,” General Manager Andy MacPhail said.

Can Gaetti envision leaving the Twins?

“I’m going to do what’s best for me,” he said, adding that he has been concerned about the absence of business and commercial opportunities.

It’s all probably a wedge at this point, an invitation to a bidding war, but who cares? Gaetti has opened the door. Shouldn’t the Dodgers, one of his six teams, plunge through it?

Gaetti also named the Angels, but they have a set lineup now and a very promising third baseman in Jack Howell.

Whom do the Dodgers have? Anywhere?

Gaetti is a gamer who represents clutch hitting and a major step toward infield stability. Why not pursue him, force his hand, see how interested he really is? Why not attempt to erase the memory of Tim Raines?

MacPhail, for one, said he doesn’t think Gaetti is playing games. He predicted that Gaetti will find the market that Morris failed to last year.

“Jack Morris picked four teams and made the demands,” he said. “He didn’t allow a market.

“He chose the market and chose the numbers. He decided where he wanted to go and at what cost and you said yes or no. There was never the opportunity for a market, but there will be a market for Gary Gaetti, no question about it.”