Economy may affect Jays’ direction

TORONTO — The list of candidates to be the next chief executive officer of the Toronto Blue Jays contains 35 to 40 names, according to Paul Beeston, who is conducting the job search for the American League club.

While the Blue Jays’ interim CEO will not reveal the identity of any of the candidates, it is a good bet that Stan Kasten, the president of the Washington Nationals, is at or near the top of the list.

Beeston also said that with the worsening state of the economy, there is a possibility the Blue Jays will not be an active participant in the free-agent market, which is expected to heat up with the start of baseball’s winter meetings in Las Vegas on Dec. 8.

“The biggest decision we have to make is what direction we’re going to go with the team,” Beeston said.

Thai protesters begin final negotiations with police

Thai police began talks with anti-government protesters blockading Bangkok two airports this morning, as Somchai Wongsawat, the Prime Minister, said he would not tolerate further disruption.

As police and members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) started negotiations, a senior police office said his men would move against the demonstrators if they did not leave the airports.

“We are asking them to allow the airport to resume operations,” said Lieutenant General Suchart Muenkaew, the chief police negotiator at Don Mueang airport.

“We will keep talking, but if it fails we will take other steps. The last step will be to disperse them.”