The Marlins "have not told" MasTec co-Founder & Chair Jorge Mas that he is "getting the team or given him a firm indication that he's the front-runner," according to a source cited by Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. But Mas’ pursuit of the team "is accelerating." A source said that Mas values the team at about $1.1B, which is "less than" Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria’s $1.2B asking price. Mas might be "willing to offer a bit more" than the $1.1B. However, a source said that Mas believes the two sides are "close enough in their value of the team that a deal can be reached soon" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/13). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde in a front-page piece writes the "question isn’t if Mas is the best prospective owner for the Marlins right now," but rather if he has been the "only realistic bidder all along in this long and oddly public affair." Barring some "surprise or big change of mind, it looks like Mas could be in the owner’s box for years to come" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/13).
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT GROUP: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the Marlins sale on ESPN Radio this morning, saying the "first building block in the foundation of success for a new owner is involvement, engagement with the fans and the community." Manfred: "You have to have credibility as an owner with your fan base." He called baseball a "cyclical game" and it is the "belief that the owner wants to win, wants to make the team as good as possible ... that carries you through the natural cycles in our game” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 7/13).
