Major League Baseball is prepared to wait as late as Opening Day before abandoning contraction plans for 2002, Sandy Alderson told USA Today on Wednesday.

Eliminating two teams can be done quickly, said Alderson, Major League Baseball's executive vice president for baseball operations.

"Once you start the season it would be a little tough, but realistically I'm not sure how much time is necessary," Alderson told the newspaper.

Alderson and ownership representative Larry Lucchino reiterated during a session with USA Today editors and reporters the elimination of teams is inevitable. The plan, however, approved by owners Nov. 6, has been stalled by legal roadblocks.

Although contraction, reportedly of the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos, appears unlikely for 2002, commissioner Bud Selig has refused to scrap the plan.

"If it can't happen in 2002, the commissioner is firmly on record in his commitment for 2003," Alderson said. "I do believe it can still be accomplished in 2002. The only real difficulty is getting players reallocated."

Lucchino, who'll become president and chief executive officer of the Boston Red Sox next month, said contraction, relocation "and eventually a salary cap will take place."

Lucchino added that 77 percent of fans surveyed favor additional revenue sharing and 84 percent favor placing salary caps on payrolls. The Players' Association has blocked increased revenue sharing, he said, and vehemently opposes a salary cap.