Owners prep for labor talks

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Major League Baseball owners held a lengthy executive session to discuss bargaining strategy over contentious issues such as revenue sharing ahead of the start of negotiations for a new labor contract with players.

Revenue sharing was a divisive issue before and during the 1994-95 negotiations that led to a 7½-month strike. Some teams that pay revenuesharing money have expressed anger at receiving clubs they think are not maximizing their local revenue.

“You try to be creative about how you address their concerns, and you re-emphasize to people that we have a democratic process and we have to move forward as a whole at the end of the day,” commissioner Rob Manfred said after Thursday’s session that was limited to one representative from each of the 30 clubs.

Manfred’s first anniversary as Bud Selig’s successor is Monday, and bargaining with the players’ association is expected to start during spring training. The current five-year deal expires Dec. 1.

“I think that every one of the 30 recognize that revenue sharing is part of the legacy of Bud Selig,” Manfred said. “It’s helped produce tremendous competitive balance in our sport, and I think as of a result of those two realizations, it’s less controversial among the clubs than it probably was 20 years ago.”

Wandy returns to Astros’ fold

Former Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez is coming back to the organization after agreeing to a minor league deal, the Chronicle confirmed.

Rodriguez started 15 games for the Texas Rangers last season and was 6-4 with a 4.90 ERA. The lefthander started his career with the Astros in 2005 before being traded to Pittsburgh during the 2012 season.

White Sox reach deal with Albers

The Chicago White Sox and reliever Matt Albers agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees $2.25 million and includes a club option for 2017.

The 33-year-old righthander will receive $2 million next season. The White Sox hold a $3 million option for 2017 with a $250,000 buyout under the terms of the deal.

The former Astro went 2-0 with a 1.21 ERA in 30 appearances last season.