Agents pressing union to file grievance

ST. LOUIS (AP) — As Michael Weiner prepares to take over from Donald Fehr as head of the players’ association, several agents are pushing the union to file a collusion grievance against teams over their behavior during the free-agent market last winter.

“There’s a general level of suspicion in the air,” said Jeff Borris, an agent whose clients include Barry Bonds, Brian Fuentes and Jason Isringhausen.

The decision on whether to go ahead with a grievance will be one of the first major decisions for the union since Fehr announced his pending retirement last month and its executive board recommended Weiner, the union’s general counsel, for the top job.

“The investigation is ongoing but not complete because of things to review,” Weiner said Monday. “We’ve had some discussions with the commissioner’s office. I’ll know more I think by the end of the month.”

Halfway through the season, agents also are worried about collusion because no major players eligible for free agency have agreed to contract extensions.

“There are too many things that need to be explained,” said Seth Levinson, who represented nearly a dozen free agents following the 2008 season. “In my experience, there are no coincidences in a monopoly.”

Weiner, who will take over from Fehr between the end of this season and the start of the 2010 schedule, struck a more cautious note.

“The new market will be what it’s going to be,” he said.

The union filed collusion grievances following the 1985, 1986 and 1987 seasons. After arbitrators ruled in the union’s favor, management agreed to a $280 million settlement.

A triple-damages provision was inserted into the sport’s labor contract in 1990.