Baseball owners ante up for expanded replay

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Orlando -- The A's got a utility infielder, signing former Dodger Nick Punto. The Giants got a lot of information from agents for the pitchers they hope to sign and Major League Baseball owners set the stage for one of the most dramatic changes in the game's rules in decades.

On the final day of the general manager meetings Thursday, owners swooped in for their quarterly meeting and voted to approve funding for vastly expanded instant replay that they expect to implement next season, hoping to reduce or eliminate the possibility that a bad umpire's call could change the course of game, or even a season.

Baseball officials will rush to codify new rules and win approval from the players' and umpires' unions before the owners sign off on a final plan in January. Commissioner Bud Selig expects it to happen, saying, "We made a gigantic move today. This is quite historic."

Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball's chief operating officer, said each manager will get one or two challenges per game - that is still to be determined - to be used in any inning.

That is scaled back from the original concept that would have allowed one challenge in the first six innings then two more thereafter. However, under the current working plan a manager would not spend a challenge if he is proved right.

Managers would not be allowed to argue with an umpire then use a challenge, and challenges would have to be announced before the next pitch, rules designed to prevent managers from stalling. Umpires also could get the right to initiate reviews themselves if managers have no challenges left.

Everything would be subject to review except balls and strikes, check swings and foul tips.

Tigers' first baseman Prince Fielder argues with home plate umpire Dan Iassogna as he's called in the 2nd inning during game 2 of the World Series at AT&T Park on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif. less Tigers' first baseman Prince Fielder argues with home plate umpire Dan Iassogna as he's called in the 2nd inning during game 2 of the World Series at AT&T Park on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 in San Francisco, ... more Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Baseball owners ante up for expanded replay 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Current or retired big-league umpires would review the plays remotely from New York and inform the crew chief of their decisions via headset.

"I think this will be good for the game," Giants president Larry Baer said as he rushed to catch a flight home.

As usual, deals at the general manager meetings were few. Only two free agents signed, Nick Punto with the A's for one year, $3 million, and outfielder Marlon Byrd on a two-year, $16 million contract with the Phillies.

"The Byrd deal didn't exactly open the floodgates," Giants assistant GM Bobby Evans said. In other words, it was not the kind of signing that sets market prices or starts a free flow of moves.

Evans said the Giants did not narrow their vision on potential starting pitchers but expects that to happen between now and next month's winter meetings, also in Orlando.

However, the Giants might have to move quickly on some targets. Second-tier free agents such as Bronson Arroyo, with whom there is mutual interest, could sign quickly as teams try to lock up less expensive players before bidding goes crazy on higher-priced options.

The Giants appear adamant about not handing out long-term contracts. They like former Marlin Ricky Nolasco, but a source said they are not bidding for him because Nolasco is seeking more than three years.