Derek Jeter traveled to South Florida last week to "continue his pursuit of buying the Marlins and dined with" team President David Samson, according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria "has high regard for Jeter," and the former MLBer will "have every chance to close" the reported $1.3B deal to buy the team. However, Jeter "still hasn't been required to give definitive proof, in writing, that he has the money to get the deal done." The Marlins are negotiating with both Jeter and a team led by Tagg Romney (MIAMIHERALD.com, 6/3). Meanwhile, in Boston, Nick Cafardo noted a main question around the sale of the team is whether Loria will "settle for less" than the $1.3B asking price. The interested groups are "realizing that price might be too high." The two groups are "trying to get Loria to come down, considering the debt owed on the team and a shaky business climate in Miami, marginal attendance, and uncertainty about a future television contract" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/4).
IN ROB WE TRUST: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde writes Marlins fans are "down to one hope this season" regarding the ownership situation -- that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "knows what he’s doing." The fans' "final prayer is Manfred uses the full power of his commissioner’s office to deliver the best owner and save this market in a manner his predecessor, Bud Selig, never did." Manfred's office "has to give" South Florida "a chance." Hyde: "This is why this franchise’s sale is so important. ... Manfred has to find the best owner for this market" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/3).
