March 13
We have been told that the owners are going broke, we know that all clubs are not created equal and no one seems to know where the labor talks are headed, except, perhaps, to Yeehaw Junction.

So, here is a revenue-sharing idea. Allow the eight lowest-revenue teams -- excluding the Expos -- to dump one contract apiece on the ward of the state in Montreal. All 29 teams would then swallow those contracts, and since they would cost nothing to the Expos, the Expos would be allowed to either keep that player or trade him to another team (which would have to pay only $500,000 of the player's salary) for some younger, more attractive talent. That might help the Expos -- which, if there is no contraction, would make them more attractive to groups in Washington and thus earn a higher selling price for MLB.

Here's who the Wards could get:

1. Minnesota: $56.3 million in 2001 revenues. RHP LaTroy Hawkins, will earn $2.3M in 2002, $3M in 2003. He might be able to close for Frank Robinson, and there are several teams like the Mets who would love to get him.

2. Florida, $60.5 million in 2001 revenues. RHP Matt Clement, $2.5M in 2002, $4M and $6M the next two years. Expensive for Florida, maybe a 3-4 starter for the Expos.

3. Kansas City, $64 million. SS Neifi Perez, $4.1M. The Royals can give Angel Berroa the job and the Expos can deal Perez to Anaheim, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or Tampa at a cost of $500,000.

4. Cincinnati, $70.9 million. LHP Gabe White, $2.275M in 2002, plus $3.1M and $3.5M the next two years. Keep him or trade him to any one of 10 teams. Good pitcher, great chip.

5. Oakland, $73.5 million. Exempt from paying into the pool because they have no contract they need or would want to dump.

6. Toronto, $78.5 million. OF Raul Mondesi, $11M in 2002, $13M in 2003.

7. San Diego, $79.7 million. OF Ray Lankford, $7.6M.

8. Tampa Bay, $80.6 million. OF/DH Greg Vaughn, $7.78M, $8.15M in 2003.

Cost to 28 teams: a little more than $78 million.

Suggested deals: