Baseball GMs pass on more instant replay

CHICAGO – Upon further review ... baseball general managers like instant replay the way it is.

GMs failed to take a vote Tuesday on expanding instant replay after a postseason filled with blown calls by umpires.

“I know there are some who have talked off line about the expansion of instant replay,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner’s office. “Right now, the commissioner doesn’t see any reason to consider it.”

Baseball began video review in August 2008 but only to determine whether potential home runs were fair or foul or cleared fences.

Any change for 2010 likely would have to be instigated by commissioner Bud Selig, who repeatedly has said he’s against widening the use of video review. While there was discussion, Solomon said “it was all confined to the current instant replay system that we have.”

“I think it’s working great, and for the most part the umpires are getting the calls right when replay is used,” Los Angeles Angels GM Tony Reagins said. “Can we always tweak and get better? Absolutely. But I think were headed in the right direction.”

Other topics touched on during the GMs’ initial 4½-hour meeting were restructuring the Arizona Fall League to include younger players and modifying the amateur draft to reflect the previous year’s postseason performance.

Solomon said there was no discussion on pace of the game, a topic that came to the forefront during the World Series after numerous visits to the mound by Yankees catcher Jorge Posada.

No major trades were expected at this shorter-than-usual annual meeting, which ends today. Agents also are on hand at the gathering, being held at a hotel in O’Hare International Airport. Among the top available free agents are outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, pitcher John Lackey and infielder Chone Figgins.

Reagins said the Angels are interested in re-signing both Lackey and Figgins.