Stars look at options with other MLB clubs

Tim Graham

Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998 | 11:17 a.m.

Everybody loves a winner.

But the group in charge of the Las Vegas Stars requires one. Its bottom line depends on it.

And in this decade, the Stars are 563-697 for a meager .447 winning percentage. They boast only two winning seasons in that span.

That's why the Stars' front office is considering a change today in its major league affiliation. It has until 5 p.m. to decide if it wants to maintain its 16-year relationship with the San Diego Padres or look elsewhere.

"The ball's in our court," Stars general manager Don Logan said.

If the Stars do go shopping, however, they are not obligated to break away from the Padres system. Las Vegas has known no other affiliation since its inception in 1983, but its current two-year agreement with San Diego expires after this season.

"There's a school of thought," Stars owner Ken Stickney said, "that it's never a bad idea to examine your alternatives. It doesn't seem like there's a lot to lose by doing that. It's not like the Padres are going to leave because of that.

"On the other hand, a lot of time and effort is involved in the process. It comes down to a question of 'Will we waste our time or anyone else's time by exploring our options?'"

Stickney estimated the Stars' chances of actually searching for a new parent club are "50-50."

"There are certain factions that would like us to stay with the Padres, and others who think it's in our best interest to look around," he said.

Possible Padre replacements are the Anaheim Angels, Chicago White Sox and Oakland A's.

But San Diego wants the agreement renewed.

"We want to stay in Las Vegas for as long as they'll have us," Padres director of player development Jim Skaalen said.

"The location is perfect for us. It's a one-hour plane ride, and I've even driven in on occasion. Then, of course, you have the personalities in the front office. The relationships we've built there are invaluable."

Skaalen has been with the Padres' front office for two seasons, but he is aware of the Stars' perpetual needs.

"I know there has been a lack of success for the Las Vegas organization in the past," he said. "I just want the opportunity to help them in that regard."

Las Vegas is a coveted triple-A location for many teams, especially those located in California. It is safe to say the Stars will be courted if they drop their handkerchief.

"We have filed to look around before," Logan said. "One year we had five teams fly in here and tell us how great we are, what the advantages of being with them are over being with San Diego.

"But at the end of the day, there was no discernible advantage these teams had over the Padres."

In fact, a new team would have to sell itself pretty hard to overcome one monumental factor: reassurance.

"From an operational standpoint, a change would affect us very little," Stickney said. "But from a relationship standpoint, 16 years with the Padres, that goes a long way. That definitely goes into the equation."

If the Stars decide to look for a new affiliation, they would have through Sept. 25 to negotiate with other clubs.

If the Stars decide to maintain their Padres arrangement, they will not sign on beyond 2000.

"I would never see us signing for more than two years," Logan said. "It forces the pressure on them to do the right thing."

Doing the right thing means sending quality players to Las Vegas.

"They've been real good about listening to me and that's a real big plus in the Padres' favor," Logan said. "Last year, when (infielder Dave) Hajek was available and I said we needed a guy like that, they went out and got him."

Other stabilizers in Hajek's class include slugger Eddie Williams, outfielders Mike Devereaux and Charles Poe and pitcher Paul Menhart. Outfielders Doug Dascenzo and Rob Deer were notables who filled similar roles in recent years.

"The long and short of it is we want competitive teams," Stickney said. "Clearly, in the minor leagues, you'd like to have a competitive team. We're, like, 100 games under .500 in the past six seasons. How long do you wait?"