Read the entire article here on the Oregonian website.

Beavers' contract with Padres not renewed yet

By JOHN HUNT
The Oregonian
Monday, May 17, 2004

The Tucson Sidewinders signed a two-year extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks last week that will extend their affiliation through 2006.

Two weeks earlier, the Salt Lake Stingers re-signed with the Anaheim Angels for four years, through 2008.

The Las Vegas 51s appear ready to extend their agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Meanwhile, the Portland Beavers' affiliation with the San Diego Padres runs out at the end of this season, but an extension should come in due time, according to the Padres and the PCL.

Player development contracts generally are finalized in late August or early September, but existing partners can renew or extend their relationship at any time, according to PCL president Branch Rickey III.

With no permanent ownership in place, the Padres couldn't extend the agreement even if they wanted to.

"There's nothing to talk about because there's nobody to talk to," said Tye Waller, the Padres' director of player development.

Kevin Towers, an Oregon native, has maintained that he wants the Padres' Triple A club to remain in Portland as long as ownership is stabilized.

"We haven't really had any dialogue with any of our affiliates," said Towers, the Padres' general manager.

As for the Beavers' ownership, a signed agreement is expected this week on the sale of the club. A closing of the deal, though, probably is a couple of weeks away.

Rickey said that for the league and its 15 owners, a deal can't come soon enough.

"Believe me, believe me, we are highly, highly motivated," Rickey said.

John Hunt: 503-294-7643; johnhunt@news.oregonian.com