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Montreal pitcher agres with contraction

NEW YORK, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Montreal Expos reliever Scott Strickland told a radio network Thursday that contraction "has to be done" and salaries "have definitely gotten out of control."

On Tuesday, Commissioner Bud Selig announced that baseball's owners had begun the process of contracting by two teams before next season.

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In an interview with ABC Sports Radio Network on Thursday afternoon, Strickland did not seem to flinch when discussing contraction, even though his team is among those believed to be among the leading candidates.

"I've realized it has to be done," Strickland told the radio station. "We're struggling in Montreal. It's really no fun playing in front of a few thousand fans every night."

En route to losing 94 games, the Expos drew 642,743 fans to Olympic Stadium, an average of just 7,935 per contest. Their total attendance was half the total of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the next lowest team.

"I think not only the team but the game deserves more than that," Strickland continued. "I'm not a politician or a businessman, but if this is a step they need to take, then I support it."

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The idea of contraction was initially blasted by Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Donald Fehr. On Thursday, the union met for two hours with league officials.

In addition to the Expos, it is believed the Minnesota Twins and Florida Marlins are being considered as teams whose ownership possibly would receive $250 million apiece to fold their franchises.

Strickland made $250,000 in 2001, which is 1 percent of the average annual salary being paid to Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Not yet eligible for arbitration--and the exponential raises that come with it--Strickland said that exorbitant salaries are simply something players are being offered.

The owners and players also must negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, which could be a protracted battle.

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