11.   However, his team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, granted the San Diego Padres exclusive negotiating rights to him after the teams developed a working relationship last month.

12.   In April, though, regulators blocked the deal, arguing that ownership would have given BSkyB an unfair advantage in negotiating broadcast rights.

13.   In return, Novartis would get certain negotiating rights to develop the most promising scientific discoveries.

14.   In the meantime, the Angels will lose exclusive negotiating rights to Finley after today.

15.   It was through an exclusive arrangement that the Padres gained negotiating rights to Irabu.

16.   Seattle was the top bidder when it came to the negotiating rights to Suzuki as a free agent in November, but the Dodgers finished second, sources confirmed.

17.   The Braves will use their exclusive negotiating rights with Smoltz until several days after the World Series, but he could still test free agent waters.

18.   The Astros have exclusive negotiating rights with Johnson through Thursday.

19.   The Chiefs had to make the offer to keep the negotiating rights to Dawson, who was a restricted free agent.

20.   The Giants have exclusive negotiating rights with Bonds until Tuesday.