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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 7, 1998)
More payroll cuts likely for Marlins Don Smiley plans to reduce player payroll to $16 million by the 1999-2001 seasons By Steven Wine The Associated Press MIAMI — The World Series champion Florida Marlins aren’t finished dismantling, if team pres ident Don Smiley has his way. Smiley, who is organizing a group of investors to buy the team, plans another drastic: reduction in player payroll, to $16 million or less for the 1999-2001 seasons. To meet such a budget, the Mar lins likely would be forced to trade stars Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonil la, Alex Fernandez and Charles Johnson. Smiley considers the cuts necessary for the Marlins to make a profit while he seeks a new ballpark with a retractable roof. “It’s tough," said Johnson, the Marlins’ Gold Glove catcher. “It’s something the organization feels they have to do, and as players we have no say-so. We have to go with the flow.” The Marlins reduced the pay roll from $53 million last year to $33 million this season, which ranks 20th among the 30 major league teams. The only teams with payrolls be low $16 million are Pittsburgh ($13 million) and Montreal ($9 million). Smiley dis closed his budget plans this week in an outline to more than a dozen prospective investors. The figures were confirmed Wednesday by a source close to the group's negoti ations with current owner H. Wayne Huizenga. The source said Smiley may cut the payroll to as low as $12 mil lion. Fans are already bitter about the breakup of the team. Attendance has declined 28 percent this sea son, and the Marlins drew the two smallest home crowds in fran chise history on consecutive nights this week. Further belt-tightening would leave in doubt the future of manag er Jim Leyland and general man ager Dave Dombrowski, who may prefer to find a more competitive situation. Leyland considered quitting after one season with the Marlins because of last winter’s payroll purge, and Dombrowski is in the final year of his contract. The Pittsburgh Pirates had a payroll of $17 million in 1996, the year Leyland resigned as manager because he was frustrated about the team’s financial situation. Leyland declined to comment Wednesday. Cutting the payroll to $16 mil lion would be impossible unless the Marlins trade Sheffield, their $10 million-per-year slugger. Smiley’s plan calls for a positive cash flow of $7.8 million in 1999. § Where ah where has mytttiedoggane? Find him with an ad in the ODE classifieds • 346-4343 1219 Alder St Awns, the street f rom sacrea Heart Hostftai >ff All Dishes Over $3.99* FREE DRINK with coupon •excliulin% special menu KtfHresMay U, /9S#. nc Shutter hug Get 2 Sets of Prints Your Choice - 3x5 or 4x6 from your 135-24 film Exposure $2.99 36 Exposure $7.99 Offer not good with one hour film service any other offers. Coupon expires 5/18/98 $K99 Hf Quality Film 3/98 Service U of O Campus * 890 E. 13th St • 341-3456 ■j 2 for the Price of 1 Cover Special! Take advantage of this special on Fridays? from 8:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays* from 8:00 P.M. -1:00 a.m. % ^ , v _ ^ ^ ... 0k including the Comedy shows ’expires May 30. I9V8 ilk >• Z-o 2222 Centennial Blvd. • Eugene • 343-4734 003335 There are nearly % million people taking the GRE this year. Kaplan will help you stand out. A great score on the GRE computer test is critical to your application Prepare with Kaplan and get the score you need. Classes are filling fast, so call today <Z25f • ... _ ____ -000™ names are registered 1 - 800-KAP-TEST trademarks of ther respective 720 East 15th #505_www.kaplan.com °"'efS 345,4420 Kaplan CAT. It's not important it's critical AIAS PIU SIM S THE FIFTH AWVAL Only $5! Dress as your favorite Super Hero or Villain Price includes DJ, food, and prizes Super Sponsors: AIAS, Departmeni of Architecture, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, ASUO, Oregon Art Supply, Eugene Toy and Hobby, Central Blueprint, Lane County Ice, Onzen, Face the Music, Starbucks, French Horn, UO Bookstore, Bellizi’s, High Street Brewery § Study Abroad in FINLAND at Tfie 'University of Tampere Study, in English, Social Science, Business and Economics, Journalism and Mass Communication, at the University of Tampere. * Tuition waivers. ■ Two housing scholarships available. * UO resident credit. ■ Semester (FalMSpring), or a full year. ■ No language requirement. ■ Applicants must have an overall GPA of 2.75, and junior standing before leaving for the program. * UO financial aid available. Application deadlines: Fall ‘98 and Full year: May 15,1998 Spring 1999: October 15,1998 Learn more about the program in Tampere, and about other overseas study programs at: The Office of International Education and Exchange, 330 Oregon Hall (541) 346-3207 Celebrating 99 years of publishing & 26 years as an independent newspaper
