This case is a journalist's account (published in Sports Illustrated) of negotiations surrounding a professional baseball player in the U.S. named Ken Griffey, Jr. that took place during the winter of 2000. I realize that you may know little or nothing about Griffey or about the sport of baseball or the nature of U.S. major league baseball teams, contracts, and negotiations. This brief introductory note is intended to bring you up to speed on some basic details that will help you sort through the article on the Griffey negotiations. You do not need to be particularly knowledgeable about baseball to understand and analyze what went on, but it does help to know a little bit about the context in which Griffey's contract was up for grabs. So read this document first before you read the case article itself.

Who is Ken Griffey, Jr.? Griffey (also known as "Junior") is generally regarded as one of the premier professional baseball players in the two North American leagues collectively known as "Major League Baseball." Consequently, many other teams covet his talents and would like to get him. For those who care to know the baseball-related details, he is an outfi

Griffey hit .299 at the Kingdome and .278 at Safeco after the midseason change of venue, although his power numbers (13 homers in 37 games in the Kingdome and 14 homers in 42 games at Safeco) actually were nearly identical.

"Since we've been instructed to make no comment, it seems bizarre to us Sandy Alderson, who has not been involved in the discussions, would be commenting for the media," Armstrong said. "What I can say is that after the comments of Ken Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg (Tuesday), the Mariners and the Reds have been instructed and directed by the commissioner's office to have no comment regarding the possibility of the Reds and Griffey and his agents talking."

"Money was not an issue," he said, nor was the way the team is being managed or run.

Seattle will need major contributions from all three plus the power and glovework for which Edmonds is known to defray the loss of Griffey, possibly the preeminent player of his generation.

This has been an extremely difficult decision for me. I've only played for the Seattle Mariners since being drafted by them in 1987. The Mariners have always been great to me and my family.I want all Mariners fans to understand that my decision does not have anything to do with money or other issues. It is motivated solely by my desire to continue my baseball career playing on a team closer to my family home here in Orlando, so that I can enjoy more time with my wife and young children.The Mariners have treated me extremely well over the last 13 years and I have wonderful memories of all that we've accomplished. Their new contract proposal is unprecedented and I deeply appreciate it. Mariner fans throughout the Pacific Northwest have been very loyal and devoted to me. I will truly miss them. I will also miss my teammates. I ask that they all please understand and accept my decision.

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