Burkett Passes Waivers, Goes to Rangers

The Florida Marlins traded John Burkett (6-10, 4.32 earned-run average) to the Texas Rangers for minor league right-hander Ryan Dempster and a player to be determined.

“I wish things had worked out better for us this year, but I’m looking forward to going to Texas,” Burkett said. “Having a chance to be in the playoffs and the World Series--that’s the ultimate goal.”

Burkett, 31, who was 6-10 with a 4.32 ERA in 24 starts for the Marlins this season, said he expects to start for the Rangers on Saturday or Sunday in Toronto. Texas has a two-game lead over Seattle.

“Obviously the offense is more intense over there,” the right-hander said. “I think I’ll be able to make the adjustments and do well.”

Though the trade deadline was July 31, Burkett passed through waivers to become eligible to be dealt.

Last year he was 14-14 with a 4.30 ERA for Florida.

Burkett’s contract includes an option year for $3.55 million in 1997 if he pitches 215 innings this season. He has 61 innings to go. Otherwise he’ll become a free agent, which means he could return to the Marlins.

“I’m not going to sell my house yet, let’s put it that way,” he said.

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Baseball owners said they would rather have a negotiated settlement with the players’ association than a court fight, but, said negotiator Randy Levine, “if we don’t, making the last and final offer and going to court certainly is an option I will have to consider.”

On Wednesday, owners gave Levine the authority to make a final offer, but Levine said Thursday he doesn’t know when or if he’ll present it to the players.

Levine also has authority from the owners to go back to court and ask U.S. District Judge Sonia Sotomayor to lift her injunction, which keeps in force the rules of the labor agreement that expired in December 1993. The injunction, issued on March 31, 1995, caused players to end their strike after 232 days.

Union head Donald Fehr, who on Wednesday questioned whether owners are interested in an agreement, clearly prefers to continue negotiations.

“I hope Randy means it,” Fehr said.

According to sources, the differences between the sides have narrowed in recent weeks.

Fehr said there has been a “slow and steady narrowing of the differences” and said progress had been made “even through last week.”

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Butch Hobson was fired as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies’ top minor league team, days after a newspaper published court documents showing he admitted using cocaine.

“The Phillies have released Butch Hobson from his contract and will not rehire him,” General Manager Lee Thomas said. “I cannot comment further.”

Hobson, a former player and manager of the Boston Red Sox, had been on leave as manager of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons of the International League.

He faces cocaine possession charges after agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration said they found 2.6 grams of cocaine worth about $120 inside his shaving kit in a Pawtucket, R.I., hotel in May.

In a signed statement published Saturday by the Times of Pawtucket, Hobson said he received cocaine from a high school friend in an overnight package that arrived May 4.

His attorney, Stephen Famiglietti, told the newspaper that Hobson has used cocaine, but “not frequently.” He also said Hobson “issued his statement under trying circumstances.”

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Hall of Famer Robin Roberts says current major leaguers aren’t supporting the Baseball Assistance Team, which provides financial aid to former players and their families.

“Present-day players have not been active donating to B.A.T.,” said Roberts, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950s.

Equitable Life Assurance Society announced that it will donate up to $400,000 to B.A.T. if the organization can raise matching funds. Don Fehr, executive director of the players’ association, and the organization’s No. 2 official, Gene Orza, were invited to attend the announcement. But they didn’t show up.

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The Toronto Blue Jays, owned by Belgian brewer Interbrew S.A., are up for sale, with several interested buyers vying for the franchise. . . . The Baltimore Orioles claimed rookie left-handed pitcher Mike Milchin off waivers from the Twins. In 26 relief appearances for the Twins, Milchin was 0-0 with an 8.31 ERA.