"I can see why small-market clubs are concerned," Herman said.

This means that a team could increase its total salaries but only if at the same time it increased its payments to the small-market clubs.

"With the small-market clubs getting more money now," he said, "the nonrevenue-sharing dollars will make less of an impact."

According to Beane, it was one of the most affordable skills at that time for small-market clubs like the A's.

The fact that a small-market club needs a change, does that make them a hawk?

MacPhail, however, sees that pattern becoming more unstable for small-market clubs.

Wells said the contingent would include representatives of large-market and small-market clubs.

This year they're going to take about $25 million from me and spread it around to those so-called small-market clubs.

When did the Angels and the Phillies become small-market clubs?

Steinbrenner said he doesn't consider the Expos "truly a small-market club."