Miami Marlins May Say Bye to Jeffrey Loria: Sale Still In The Works

The Miami Marlins might still be in the process of being sold. Whether he ends of being the ambassador to France, or just something South Floridians will be delighted to be rid of, is still up in the air.

According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Miami Marlins could still be sold. In fact, Jackson assures folks we’ve officially moved into not if, but when territory. If that isn’t proof that hope springs eternal in Spring Training, I’m not sure I can help you.

Apparently as many as six different groups have at least expressed an interest, with the only information known at this time being that the parties range from local to not. There is also no word if any of those six groups include the group first linked to the rumors of a reported sale: the Kushner family. Specifically Joshua, but indirectly a treasure trove of headlines and storylines that had precious little to do with the baseball diamond.

Jackson was also quick to note that it shouldn’t be taken for granted that payroll will spike significantly, chiefly because of the club’s lack of television revenue.

To my mind, that’s the most interesting part of this latest round of Miami Marlins news, another chapter in 2017 of headlines that save for the Dan Straily trade have had zero bearing on anything that might impact the performance of the 2017 team.

For unlike the long history of proven false excuses for not spending, that contract with Fox Sports is a legitimate one.

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Especially when you compare it to the ridiculous revenues the Dodgers and Yankees of the world get from their deals. Jackson puts it plainly: the Marlins have the worst deal in the game.

Fangraphs writer Craig Edwards released this detailed breakdown in 2016,  painting a rather bleak picture of the disparity facing the team.

The Braves were the next closest of the division rivals, estimated by Edwards to pull in nearly $15 million more than Miami. The rest of the NL East blows the Fish out of the water, the Phillies leading the way with a conservatively estimated advantage of $40 million.

What can be expected from a new owner? Previously, I’d largely dismissed the notion that a new owner could come in and risk being perceived as repeating the sins of the past.

But that note of caution on payroll from a veteran baseball reporter like Jackson concerns me. True, the Marlins are actually in triple digits for payroll this year, and there is a difference between “not raising, period” and “not raising significantly”.

However, I have to wonder if that note of caution is informed by any yet to be revealed knowledge of the groups involved. Marlins fans have had their fingers crossed for a Bill Gates type savior ever since 1998.

Next: The Eventual Lefty

Now that the moment of deliverance is approaching, this is one amateur baseball reporter that is fervently hoping the Marlins are not about to draw another thrifty art dealer instead.

If for no other reason than to get the feeling back in those fingers.