D.C.'s wait for Expos almost over
— -- NEW YORK -- Washington's wait is almost over.
Exactly 33 years after the Washington Senators played theirfinal game, the nation's capital might learn Wednesday that majorleague baseball plans to return next season, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports.
Sources involved in the Montreal Expos discussions said that the District of Columbia is making plans to hold a press conference late Wednesday afternoon or early evening.
This news is viewed as an indication that MLB is close to a deal with Orioles owner Peter Angelos that would result in Angelos dropping his opposition to the move.
However, a Thursday announcement is still possible if there are last-minute snags or if commissioner Bud Selig has any last-minute concerns.
After a meeting of the sport's executive council last Thursday,a high-ranking baseball official who spoke on the condition ofanonymity said major league baseball would attempt to finalizenegotiations with Washington within a week. It would be the firstfranchise relocation in the major leagues since the expansionWashington Senators became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season.
The deal to move the Expos to Washington would be subject togovernment approval of funding for both a $13 million refurbishmentof RFK Stadium and a new ballpark costing slightly over $400million, which would be built along the Anacostia River in thesoutheast section of the city.
A move also must be approved by three-quarters of major leagueowners and survive legal challenges by the Expos' former limitedpartners and possibly by Angelos, who objectsto having a team just 40 miles from his. Bob DuPuy, baseball'schief operating officer, went to Baltimore on Friday to negotiate acompensation arrangement with Angelos.
The Orioles owner told The (Baltimore) Sun that he could bepersuaded to drop his opposition if he could be assured that histeam and the state of Maryland's investment in Oriole Park atCamden Yards could be protected.
"If those two goals can be accomplished, and I feel thefranchise would be secure and the revenue stream is protected andthe asset value is secure, it might be possible to make a deal,"Angelos told The Sun for a story Tuesday.
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