BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS

The Montreal Expos, without a general manager since Kevin Malone resigned Oct. 2, are expected to announce their new general manager today. The front-runner reportedly is Jim Beattie, a former major league pitcher who has been the Seattle Mariners’ farm director and more recently their director of player development. . . . The Houston Astros denied there is a handshake deal to sell the team to a group of investors who plan to bring the franchise to Virginia.