GMs to begin meeting today

Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla.

A year after shifting their meetings from the usual resort destinations to a Chicago airport hotel, baseball general managers arrived Monday for their annual session, which is being held this year near Disney World.

The formal meetings are scheduled for today and Wednesday, dominated by presentations from labor lawyers on free agents, salary arbitration and collective bargaining that will start next year.

But the informal sessions are more significant, with agents for many players on hand to move along the courtship process likely to intensity when they all gather for the winter meetings, to be held a 31/4-mile drive away in Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 6-9.

Teams’ business executives have gathered nearby for their industry meetings and owners are coming this week, too, for a session on Thursday. In addition to various reports, commissioner Bud Selig will discuss industry economics — usually a platform for him to warn against overspending as baseball’s business season gets underway.

Three free agents struck deals Monday.

Infielder Geoff Blum became the first of the 166 free agents to switch teams, agreeing to a $2.7 million, two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Staying put were right-hander Jose Contreras, who got a $5.5 million, two-year deal from the Philadelphia Phillies, and catcher Ramon Hernandez, who received a $3 million, one-year contract from the Cincinnati Reds.

Also in the backdrop is Selig’s intent to expand the playoffs from eight teams to 10. Selig said during the World Series that adding two additional wild cards is under serious consideration, and union head Michael Weiner said players were open to more playoffs.

While Selig wouldn’t rule out making a proposal for change in 2011, it is increasingly likely that an addition would start in 2012. As of Monday, Weiner said management had not approached the union about the idea formally.