In L.A., Bill Shaikin reports N.Y. Observer Owner & Publisher Jared Kushner has "emerged as a candidate in the bidding for the Dodgers." Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump, purchased the weekly newspaper in '06 and, at 31, he would be the youngest owner in MLB. The Kushner bid is "one of at least nine to advance to the second round of the Dodgers' ownership sweepstakes." The bid, which has not previously surfaced publicly, "would be funded primarily by the Kushner family, whose net worth is not publicly available" (L.A. TIMES, 2/7).
SPRING IS IN THE AIR: In Florida, Thomas Himes notes Lee County has "targeted the Washington Nationals in an effort to bring big league baseball back to City of Palms Park." County officials said that within the "next three weeks, commissioners will be asked to authorize formal negotiations between county staff and the team." This will be the first spring that City of Palms Park "will be without a major league team." The Nationals' contract to play at Space Coast Stadium in Viera "expires after the 2017 season" (Ft. Myers NEWS-PRESS, 2/7).
WARDROBE CHANGE: In Oklahoma City, Jacob Unruh notes even though new Astros Owner Jim Crane "decided against changing the name of the team, he said on Monday the possibility remains of a logo and uniform change." Crane said, "It's got to be approved by [MLB]. If so, it's natural we would do it next year" (OKLAHOMAN, 2/7).
NEW REGIME: In Boston, Nick Cafardo reported a "couple of frustrated agents have described dealing with the Red Sox front office/ownership as a 'different environment' from what they were used to in the past, but there has been quite a bit of praise" for new GM Ben Cherington (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/6).
