The Marlins are likely using former MLBer Derek Jeter to "gin up interest in buying the baseball team," according to sources cited by Josh Kosman of the N.Y. POST. Sources said that Marlins President David Samson is "running a sales process without an investment banker, and he (or people close to him) has been telling trusted sources in the media that Jeter has interest in buying the team without Jeter’s blessing." A source said, "They are throwing his name around." Last week, there was news that Jeter was teaming up with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to "put together an offer." A source said that is "likely upsetting to Jeter, who 'does not want to be associated with a failure' if he is unsuccessful in his bid" (N.Y. POST, 4/23). In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted Baseball HOFer Tom Glavine, who is also a part of a group interested in buying the Marlins, "believes there are at least three groups who have made bids" to Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria. Glavine: "It’s been a lengthy process. I was contacted a couple of years ago by some people to ask whether I’d have an interest in doing something along these lines, and I certainly did. This Marlins situation came about last summer. After casual conversations and kicking tires it became apparent we could put people together and raise money." He added, "I feel very good about the offer we made." Glavine said that his role has been "mostly to woo investors." Glavine: "I certainly want a role. I’m not going to say I’m the GM, but I know the game pretty well. I understand it. There’s a lot on the business side that I don’t understand, so I’m open-minded about what the best role for me would be and what I like to do the most" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/23).
SHOULD FERNANDEZ STATUE BE SCRAPPED? In Miami, Greg Cote wondered if it is "appropriate for the Marlins to go ahead with plans to build a statue" honoring late P Jose Fernandez. A larger-than-life bronze statue of Fernandez, the plans revealed last week, will "permanently rise in Marlins Park’s east or west plaza beginning next year, after likely being unveiled during the offseason." Many have "written to Samson imploring the Marlins to scrap the statue idea in the wake of the state’s damning toxicology report." Families of both young men also killed in the Fernandez boat crash are "suing Fernandez’s estate." Cote ran a poll on his blog asking whether or not the statue is appropriate. More than 500 voted with 65.8% feeling it was "inappropriate" and 22.2% feeling it was "appropriate." Samson said, "His story is of great moments and horrifically tragic moments. He was a man. Man is fallible" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/23).
