NEW YORK (AP) -- An arbitrator's decision on whether baseball owners could fold franchises may be known as early as Thursday, according to a management lawyer, but a top union official thought it might be delayed again.

Rob Manfred, baseball's top labor lawyer, said he thought arbitrator Shyam Das's contraction decision was imminent. Das originally said he would try to rule by July 15, then asked for a delay until Aug. 1.

But Gene Orza, second in command of the players' association, said he wasn't sure when Das would rule.

``My sense is that in an absence of a call from the arbitrator today, the decision will not be issued tomorrow,'' Orza said. ``He was told to use his best efforts to issue a decision on or about Aug. 1. He isn't duty bound by it.''

Players filed a grievance, claiming the Nov. 6 decision by owners to fold two franchises -- later identified by management lawyers as Montreal and Minnesota -- violated the rules of the previous labor contract, which remains in force.

Owners said they had the right to shut down teams and needed to bargain with players only on the effects of contraction, such as a dispersal draft.

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I wonder how the decision either way would affect the negotiations--if the loser would be less inclined to compromise on other issues.