MLB Franchise Notes: Did Jeffrey Loria Tamper With Bonds?

Loria Reportedly Gives Bonds Lift On Private Jet

In Ft. Lauderdale, Mike Berardino cites sources saying that Giants LF Barry Bonds accepted an offer from Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria “to join him on his jet” for an upcoming series in N.Y. against the Mets. MLB has tampering rules regarding unauthorized contact between clubs and players under contract. An NL source said the Giants were not “happy about it by any means.” The source added that the Marlins “did not clear the Bonds offer with the Giants, who weren’t pleased with Bonds, either, for accepting.” A source in the office of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig “was not aware of an official complaint being lodged” (SUN-SENTINEL, 6/23).

SHOWING HIS STRIPES: Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch took part in a “rare, occasionally emotional interview” with the DETROIT NEWS’ Bob Wojnowski. Ilitch said, “I’m gonna do what it takes to win. Nobody’s gonna say, ‘They would’ve won if Ilitch would’ve gotten X.’ That’s not gonna happen.” While fans and the media “pleaded for him to sell the team” after the ’03 season, Ilitch said, “It hurt to hear people say I couldn’t do it, but let’s be honest, it was pretty obvious I couldn’t do it. I never came close to selling because I don’t think I could’ve lived with myself. That was the turning point. It wasn’t pain, that’s not the right word. It was embarrassment” (DETROIT NEWS, 6/23).

HEAVEN SENT: Angels Owner Arte Moreno said team “will make money this season despite having baseball’s third-highest payroll.” Moreno said of adding players this season: “I don’t want to be stupid and just throw money into a black hole. But I’m committed to winning” (L.A. TIMES, 6/23). Angels GM Bill Stoneman said, “I’m not afraid to pull the trigger on a deadline deal or any deal that moves us forward, and I’m not afraid to trade a young player, but I better get an impact player in return. ... With the pressure on payrolls now, young players have far more value than they ever used to, even for the large-market clubs that can more easily absorb a mistake” (L.A. TIMES, 6/23).