MLB has been "led to believe" that Derek Jeter has had at least "some success in solidifying his investment group" to buy the Marlins in recent days, according to a front-page piece by Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. A source said that none of the three groups bidding to buy the Marlins has "shown a willingness to meet" the $1.3B asking price in revised offers, and the Marlins are now "prepared to sell the team for something less, potentially" in the $1.2B range. The Marlins are "seriously considering interest from three bidders" in Quogue Capital Founder Wayne Rothbaum and Tagg Romney; Jeter; and engineering firm MasTec co-Founder & Chair Jorge Mas. Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria "remains intent on selling the team and hopes to make a decision by the end of July." But the source said that there is "no clear front-runner at this point." Another source said that the Rothbaum/Romney group believe they have a "strong chance but also have suspected that Loria would lean toward Jeter if all things are equal." A source said that Rothbaum and Romney previously bid $1.1B. Jeter’s bid is "believed to be slightly more" than that, and he has been "working to come up with" additional financing for the Marlins' asking price. A source said that the Marlins have told Rothbaum that $1.1B "will not get it done, but negotiations continue." A source said that Rothbaum "would be the control person in the group, but he and Romney would work as a team." A source said that former D-backs GM Dave Stewart "apparently has not been promised any role running the club." Baseball HOFer Tom Glavine and Stewart have "worked to help lure investors to the group." If Rothbaum and Romney "get the team, it’s undetermined who would run baseball operations," but Glavine is "expected to have some role in the department" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/30).
LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: In Ft. Lauderdale, Tim Healey notes eighteen months of preparation for Marlins Park’s All-Star Game is "entering its final phase." With the Marlins "heading out for a three-city, 10-game road trip starting Friday to close out the first half, their home ballpark will undergo a transformation of sorts before the baseball world descends upon Little Havana for All-Star festivities starting July 9." Marlins Exec VP/Operations & Events Claude Delorme said, "It’s pretty extensive. We’ve been on this for 18 months and the intensity keeps increasing on a day-to-day basis.” That final phase was "set to begin late Thursday night." Delorme said over the weekend crews will set up a “broadcast compound." He added that on the west side of the ballpark will be large tent/party area for “a pregame celebration event by invitation only for 3,500 people." MLB and its "close to 300 people will begin to arrive in earnest" on Monday (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/30).
