Stars franchise could become minor league ‘free agent’ today

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Aug. 21, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

Contrary to popular belief, the Los Angeles Dodgers haven't moved their triple-A affiliation to Las Vegas.

Yet.

And it likely won't be until after Labor Day before any decision is made whether the Dodgers or another major league club can bring an end to the San Diego Padres' 18-year triple-A affiliation here.

A seven-day period for minor league teams to determine whether they will seek reaffiliation began on Sunday. Stars President Don Logan said the team's principal owners -- Mandalay Sports Entertainment -- will likely hold a conference call today to decide whether to declare themselves triple-A "free agents" or to renew their agreement with the Padres.

Logan said it was likely the Stars would file to seek reaffiliation. If so, there would then be a 10-day period beginning Aug. 27 during which Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball would compile a list of clubs desiring to reaffiliate.

Then, beginning on Sept. 6, clubs can begin affiliation discussions with major league teams. If a city has not entered into an agreement by Sept. 25, the office of the baseball commissioner will assign the affiliation.

There is a $500,000 fine assessed any major league team that opens affiliation talks with a new city before Sept. 6. However, teams that are currently associated with a city -- in this case the Padres and Las Vegas -- can begin negotiations immediately.

"I can honestly tell you nothing has been discussed," Logan said Sunday. "It's a half-million dollar fine to talk with another team now. I've got messages from three Los Angeles newspapers sitting on my desk right now. But I'm not saying anything."

The Dodgers are expected to seriously explore the Las Vegas possibility, in part because their long-standing affiliation with the Albuquerque Dukes will come to an end after this season. The Dukes were recently sold to a new ownership group which plans to move the team to Portland, Ore., next season.

Dodger officials are scheduled to meet with the new Portland ownership to discuss their affiliation on Wednesday.

One sticking point with a possible Dodger move: The Padres and Mandalay also have a successful affiliation in the California League at Rancho Cucamonga. The Dodgers, who have two "high A" minor league teams, are expected to consolidate to just one high-level Class A team next year. Vero Beach of the Florida State League is the front-runner for that spot at a refurbished Dodgertown complex.