Things to Really Heat Up in Winter

By ROSS NEWHAN

Oct. 28, 1997 12 AM PT

Strange how the World Series played out.

With all of the late starts, midnight finishes, numbing Ohio weather and embarrassing array of walks and errors, there was also this:

A taut Game 7 in which the Florida Marlins defeated the Cleveland Indians, 3-2, in 11 innings provided a measure of respectability, and Jim Leyland’s infectious emotions added some special significance.

It didn’t live up to--and maybe couldn’t live up to--the exciting division and league championship series that preceded it, but the lasting image of Leyland’s victory lap fits nicely in any Series scrapbook.

Now?

Now comes a baseball winter with the potential impact of El Nino.

What could be a convulsive and controversial calendar includes:

Realignment, the expansion draft, the possible selection of a commissioner, a vote on the sale of the Dodgers, the possible sale of the champion Marlins and the usual array of trades and free-agent signings headed by the Montreal Expos’ anticipated trade of Pedro Martinez.

Some highlights:

* The Marlins.

Owner Wayne Huizenga expects to know in the next two or three weeks whether he can generate public financing for a retractable-roof stadium.

If not, claiming losses of $34 million after his $89-million signing spree last winter helped produce baseball’s fourth-largest payroll of $53 million, Huizenga said he would be forced to sell despite the glow of the World Series and South Florida’s enthusiastic response.

Of course, there is no guarantee Huizenga can find a buyer at his asking price of $165 million.

He has said that if he retains the team in 1998 with no stadium commitment, he will be forced to shed payroll, leading to a significant falloff in the team’s ability to compete.

Leyland, who concedes he misses the environment of hometown Pittsburgh and who slept many nights in the stadium clubhouse as his family spent most of the summer in Pennsylvania, has an escape clause if the team is sold. But he might opt out of the five-year, $7.5-million contract even if Huizenga stays as owner of a stripped-down model.

“I don’t know who the new owners will be or if there will be a new owner,” Leyland said. “I do know that I don’t want to be sitting next to some actor or Bing Crosby’s son telling me how to manage the team.”

The Marlins already have a $47-million payroll commitment for next year, and it’s not clear how and where they can cut back if it comes to that since most of their players with high-priced multiyear contracts would be difficult to trade. Darren Daulton is a free agent whom the Marlins are expected to re-sign. Former Cal State Fullerton star Mark Kotsay may replace center fielder Devon White.

This is certain: If the Marlins emerged as the best team money can buy, the landscape is littered with teams that have failed in the attempt to buy a championship.

Huizenga said he was forced to spend to revitalize fan interest in South Florida and hopefully gain support for a new stadium. There will be no rush to follow his pattern, however.

In fact, he has been widely criticized in baseball. As Colorado Rocky owner Jerry McMorris said recently: “I don’t see the benefits of spending $89 million on free agents and then putting the team up for sale. It would be hard to say that this is the beginning of a dynasty.”

* Expansion.

With impressive ticket sales, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays could attempt to strike quickly, spending big on free agents and high-salaried veterans in the Nov. 18 draft.

The existing 28 clubs must submit their lists of 15 protected players Nov. 11, at which time trades become prohibited until the draft is over.

However, a number of trades can be expected to evolve on the day of the draft, with the groundwork already being laid.

* The Pedro Pursuit.

In the latest payroll purge, the Expos are expected to unload Cy Young Award candidate Martinez and second baseman Mike Lansing, among others.

The Dodgers, who also have interest in Lansing, would love to reunite Martinez with brothers Ramon and Jesus, and probably are willing to package Dennis Reyes, Todd Hollandsworth and Wilton Guerrero, but the Expos continue to talk about Adrian Beltre, the Dodgers’ untouchable third-base prospect.

Several other clubs are in the Martinez derby, including the Indians, who lost ace Jack McDowell to injury in May, face contract decisions on Orel Hershiser and Charles Nagy and seem in need of a No. 1 arm.

Cleveland’s nucleus will be back, but second basemen Bip Roberts and Tony Fernandez are eligible for free agency, and General Manager John Hart said he has to decide whether to invest heavily in a Martinez-caliber pitcher or a second baseman such as Chuck Knoblauch, who has asked the Minnesota Twins to trade him and indicated he wants to go to the Indians.

Eligible players can file for free agency during the next 15 days and begin accepting offers after that. Among the big names: Darryl Kile, Andy Benes, Randy Myers, Kenny Lofton, Brady Anderson, Hal Morris, Wilson Alvarez, Rod Beck, Roberto Hernandez, Joey Cora, John Olerud, Doug Jones and seven shortstops from which the Dodgers can choose. They are Jose Vizcaino, Jay Bell, Jeff Blauser, Kevin Elster, Ozzie Guillen, Shawon Dunston and Walt Weiss.

* Realignment, plus.

It is expected to be announced soon that the Kansas City Royals have rejected baseball’s offer to move from the American League Central to the National League Central and that the Milwaukee Brewers will make the move, giving the NL 16 teams and the AL 14, which eliminates the necessity of an interleague game every day.

Acting commissioner Bud Selig, who also owns the Brewers, insists a broader realignment will come in 1999.

As part of this first phase, the Detroit Tigers will move from the AL East to replace the Brewers in the Central, and Tampa Bay, originally in the West, will replace the Tigers in the East. The Diamondbacks will join the NL West.

Dodger officials remain confident the sale to Rupert Murdoch will be approved, but the vote may not transpire until the next regularly scheduled owners meeting in January.

A commissioner? That, too, is possible this winter, but there are still those who believe his name will be Selig.

* Bottom Line.

Watch the sparks from the hot stove. The off-season will be another very busy season.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Cream of the Crop

A look at the top potential free agents:

PITCHERS

Darryl Kile, Houston

Andy Benes, St. Louis

Randy Myers, Baltimore

Wilson Alvarez, San Francisco

Rod Beck, San Francisco