SAN DIEGO -- The clearest signal yet from ownership that the heavy lifting in negotiations toward a new Basic Agreement with the Players' Association is imminent appeared to arrive on an otherwise lazy summer afternoon Friday in San Diego.

In his new role, Larry Lucchino will devote some of his time to the construction of the Padres' new park.(AP)

CEOs step down all the time but, in this case, it is difficult not to read Larry Lucchino's decision to relinquish some of his reins with the San Diego Padres at season's end as a strong indication that the owners are hunkering down and close to getting serious.

"That's probably overstating it a little bit,'' Lucchino said.

But not by much.

"Certainly, the timing is in part driven toward making myself more available, particularly toward Major League Baseball issues,'' Lucchino said.

Lucchino is stepping away from the daily operations of the club in order to, as he says, concentrate solely on two things: Issues surrounding the Padres' new stadium (now under construction), and representing the club at major league ownership meetings to work on "baseball-wide issues.''

It's that second part that should pique the interest of those watching and waiting to see what happens when the agreement between the players and owners expires on Oct. 31.

A minority owner of the Padres, Lucchino has been an outspoken force on behalf of small-market clubs almost from the day he first landed in San Diego in 1994. In that capacity, he had some input into the Commissioner's Blue Ribbon Panel on Baseball Economics study that was completed just over a year ago -- which some believe to be a loose outline of what the owners will attempt to negotiate. George Will, who is on the Padres' Board of Directors, was a panelist.

Before joining owner John Moores in San Diego, Lucchino, 55, spent 14 years with the Baltimore Orioles (1979-1993), and was president and CEO from 1988 to 1993. During his presidency, it was Lucchino who had a guiding hand in the creation of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

This guy is a mover, and a shaker.

"I can only say the job he did as the Padres' CEO these last seven years was truly exceptional,'' commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "His contribution to all of baseball -- the building innovations of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore -- changed the baseball experience forever.

"We at Major League Baseball are eager to have more of Larry's time and attention devoted to the important issues confronting baseball these days. He is highly respected in the game.''

The threat of another work stoppage clearly is on the horizon. Selig and his group want to close the embarrassing gulf between baseball's haves and have nots. The players are not about to agree to a salary cap or any other type of dramatic change in the way they do business.

Representatives of the players' and owners' sides have begun meeting, players' union boss Don Fehr confirmed at the All-Star Game in Seattle last week -- though, according to Fehr, "We're a ways from the real bargaining.''

Although Selig has characterized the early overall tone of the talks as positive, it's difficult to get a real feel for things yet for two reasons.

One, as Fehr said in so many words, it's easy to be cordial and optimistic when you're negotiating peripheral issues rather than the actual guts of an agreement.

Two, Selig has instituted the threat of a $1 million fine against any management member who publicly comments on the talks.

Accordingly, Lucchino was extremely cautious Friday in discussing his future role in "baseball-wide issues.''

"I do think Major League Baseball is getting its act together,'' he said.

But he stopped himself before delving into specifics, such as baseball getting its act together in finally becoming determined to level the playing field between the rich and the poor.

Those close to Lucchino are convinced that he will become a player in the upcoming negotiations that are so critical to baseball's future.

"He's got a great relationship with Selig,'' Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "He worked for a large-market club in Baltimore and he worked for a small-market club here in San Diego. He spent a great deal of time with the Blue Ribbon Committee. He's a very intelligent man.

"I think it definitely will be a plus for the owners' side to have someone like Larry focus his attention on the labor issue.''

Among other things, Lucchino has been a proponent of revenue sharing among the clubs, contraction (the elimination of failing franchises), and the world-wide draft.

"I've learned a great deal from Larry,'' said Towers, one of the game's brightest general managers. "He's one of the top negotiators out there, he really is. I've heard that from agents from when he was with Baltimore.

"He's very thorough. You've got to make sure to dot every I and cross every T when you're dealing with him. He's crafty. He's as competitive a CEO as you'll find. He has a tremendous passion for the game.''

Tellingly, Lucchino said he "batted around'' this decision not only with Moores, but also with Selig himself.

"Should I be called on, I want to be available,'' Lucchino said, referring to the labor negotiations that are on-deck. "I would be happy to help -- like any other owner would be if pressed into service.''

It is apparent already, though, that in the very near future, Lucchino no longer will be just another owner sitting at the table.