Vero Beach, FL (AP) The Vero Beach Bums, who just yesterday appeared to
have a clear vision of their future in trading for 3B prospect Mike
Kinkade and two draft picks, may see that vision disappear at midnight
tonight. Bums front office personnel are frantically trying to contact
Aaron Watson, owner of the Springfield Atoms, who agreed in principle to
the deal sending him Albert Belle and John Valentin. However, due to an
apparent clerical oversight on the part of the Atoms, the league
commissioner's office has still not received confirmation of the deal from
Watson.
"It's driving me crazy," said Bums owner Jason Gohlke. "Yesterday, he
said verbatim, 'I like the deal -- let's do it.' But now, expecting to see
league confirmation, I find none. I hope that the Atoms front office --
Watson -- can do the right thing, the professional thing, and get
confirmation to Commissioner Peck any way he can by midnight tonight. I
don't care if he calls him at home at 11:59 pm, I just urge him to contact
me and Peck."
The Bums have not received acceptance -- or even acknowledgement -- of a
number of other offers that they placed on the table within the last few
days, causing Gohlke to speculate that no other deal might happen.
"Although there is a slim chance of a deal possible with Thunder Bay for
pick #5," he stated.
