Marlins President David Samson yesterday confirmed that "discussions with multiple parties interested in buying" the club are ongoing, and he "would not be shocked if the team had a new owner by the end of the season," according to Andre Fernandez of the MIAMI HERALD. Samson: "We’re in the fourth inning right now. We’ve never gotten past the second inning before, so it’s further than we’ve been, but a lot can still happen.” Samson said of Jeffrey Loria possibly selling the club, "Maybe it’s time, but you don’t know for sure. You’re willing to listen. ... It feels different this time.” Samson said that "several factors might be playing a role in Loria’s willingness to entertain offers at this time," including the tragic death of P Jose Fernandez. Samson: “Everything that goes on such as having a losing season, losing your best pitcher, the emotional aftermath of it. Those things hurt and take a toll." Loria’s "reported asking price" on the franchise is $1.6B, but a recent Forbes report valued the Marlins at $940M. Samson: "I never have (believed in Forbes’ estimates). They could have had us at $3 billion and I’d say [the] same thing. They have no idea any of the numbers of the team. ... All they do is sit in a room and pretend to assign values to teams based on complete fantasy" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/12). Loria during last night's home opener said of a potential sale, "There’s nothing to talk about. I don’t know why you guys (ask). (Others) can blabber all they want” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/12). Samson said the Marlins also have "tabled attempts to sell naming rights to the ballpark, apparently leaving that to the next owner" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/12).
TIMING IS RIGHT? In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde writes this is Loria's "time to sell." Hyde: "He’s been in baseball 18 years (15 with the Marlins). He’s 76, a time some consider getting their financial affairs in order. This summer’s All-Star Game gives him one final stage inside the game." But the "most obvious reason he set up this as the summer to sell is the financial structure of this team." Loria is "king of the back-loaded contract" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/12). In Miami, Greg Cote notes negotiations to sell the Marlins "could stretch across the year." The club needs a "sense of blueprint and direction." Cote: "Sufficient spending. The needed gust of hope and fresh air that would sweep in with a new owner. And crowds growing commensurate with the winning." Cote: "It could happen, then. It actually could. The Miami Marlins could surprise us and make it all about baseball again" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/12).
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: In Miami, Fernandez & Spencer note this season Jose Fernandez’ "corner of the Marlins’ clubhouse will still bear his name." On display behind Plexiglass is Fernandez’ locker with "several game jerseys, pants, gloves and cleats." Just above where the jerseys were hanging was a "sticker with the word ‘love’ taped above a circle with his number 16." Samson said that the Marlins have "still not chosen a date on which they plan to honor Fernandez at the ballpark." Samson said it has "only been six months" since he died, but "it’s fresh and it still hurts." Samson: "We want to wait for a little more healing" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/12). In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis notes Fernandez’s absence "loomed as large over the Marlins’ home opener as the roof above the field" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/12).
