HOUSTON (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Major League Baseball only agreed to the pending sale of the Houston Astros to businessman Jim Crane after he agreed to move the team to the American League.
The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made. The person said Major League Baseball told Crane he would only be able to buy the team from Drayton McLane if he agrees to move the Astros out of the National League, where they have played ever since their first game in 1962.
Crane reportedly agreed in exchange for a drop in the $680 million sales price. Approval could be announced as early as Thursday at a meeting of baseball executives in Milwaukee.
