BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Sale of Yankees Being Discussed

Paramount Communications, which already owns the New York Knicks and Rangers and Madison Square Garden, is trying to buy the Yankees from George Steinbrenner, the New York Daily News reported.

The newspaper said Steinbrenner, who bought the Yankees in 1973 but is currently prohibited from being a managing partner, has talked seriously with Paramount executive Stan Jaffe. The talks started two weeks ago.

Philadelphia first baseman Ricky Jordan sustained a broken jaw Wednesday when struck by a line drive during fielding practice. He will be out of action for about six weeks.

Baseball officials met with a member of the Japanese-led group attempting to buy the Seattle Mariners and discussed their concerns about the proposed deal.

Commissioner Fay Vincent and ownership committee chairman Fred Kuhlmann of the St. Louis Cardinals headed a four-man delegation that met for two hours in Tampa, Fla., with John Ellis, who would run the Mariners for the Japanese-led owners if a sale is approved.

The group is 60% financed by Hiroshi Yamauchi, president of Nintendo Co. Ltd. of Kyoto.

In December, owners rejected a proposal that would have allowed overseas investors to purchase up to 37% of clubs. The ownership committee last week decided to ask the Japanese-led group to change its proposal, and Wednesday’s meeting was designed to convey those concerns.

Several Atlanta Brave players included in speculation surrounding a possible deal for Pittsburgh outfielder Barry Bonds say they wouldn’t be disappointed if they had to leave the defending NL champions.

“It would be good for me because I would be going to a place I would play every day,” outfielder-first baseman Brian Hunter said.

“I’d rather pitch in Pittsburgh than Richmond,” reliever Mark Wohlers said, referring to the Braves’ triple-A farm team.

“If it happens, it might be better for me and Brian and any of the young players because of more playing time,” outfielder Keith Mitchell said. “If it happened, I won’t be mad.”

Bo Jackson left the Chicago White Sox spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., heading home to spend time with his family and prepare for probable hip replacement surgery sometime this summer. . . . Right-hander Andy Benes received a $100,000 raise when the San Diego Padres tore up his contract and signed him to a new one-year deal worth $475,000, only a week after renewing him for $375,000 and hearing accusations from Benes that he was being treated unfairly. . . . The trial of New York Yankees pitcher Steve Howe on drug charges was postponed from March 30 until May 5. Howe is charged with attempting to buy one gram of cocaine Dec. 19 in Kalispell, Mont., and with possessing two grams of cocaine between Nov. 23 and Dec. 19 in Whitefish.