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Buyer Found for the Marlins

By Phil Kimmel |
May 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former player Derek Jeter waves to the crowd during the ceremony retiring Bernie Williams number 51 prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former player Derek Jeter waves to the crowd during the ceremony retiring Bernie Williams number 51 prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

It is Christmas in April for Miami Marlins fans. Jeffrey Loria has finally come to agreement to end his reign.

Though still early in the process, the Miami Marlins are in the process. It seems that there has finally been an agreement as to who will be the group purchasing. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported yesterday afternoon that the Fish will be purchased by a group featuring Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush.

Finally, the Fish faithful will be rewarded for their patience. After years under the Loria regime, we will finally see what the Marlins can do with owners that care about the team.

Loria, who originally bought the fish back in 2002, will be making quite the profit off of this transaction. At a sales price of $1.3 billion, yes with a “B”, Loria will more than likely net $1.2 billion.

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During the time that Loria has been owner, we have seen a World Series, the franchise renamed, multiple losing seasons, and multiple fire sales. Loria has positioned the Marlins to be the laughing stock of the majors.

Let’s talk about the shady 2002 deal for just one moment. Loria, then owner of the Expos, sold the team to the Commissioner’s Office and used the profits to purchase the Marlins.

John Henry, then owner of the Marlins, then took those profits as well as a $38.5 million no-interest loan from the Commissioner’s Office to purchase the Red Sox.

Can Bud Selig come work at my bank? I need a loan.

After setting a payroll of $120 million, the highest in franchise history, the Marlins still rank 20th in baseball payrolls. However, this is still quite the jump from last season’s payroll of $74 million.

What does this mean for the Marlins?

At the forefront of the purchasing team are Jeb Bush and future Hall of Famer, Derek Jeter. Though there are other investors, they have not been named.

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This purchase overall is good for Miami and Florida overall. Both Jeter and Bush currently reside in Florida. Bush will join his brother George as being able to check owning a baseball team off the bucket list with this purchase. George, as we all remember, owned the Texas Rangers.

This purchase will finally end the tyrannical leadership that the fans have had to deal with for the past 14 years. We will also see a former player, regarded highly by many, as an owning partner. Though, Jeter’s position within the club has not been determined.

Bush, on the other hand, has his position fairly well chosen. Overseeing the franchise and having the final say in franchise decisions, Bush will be the main “control person” over the team.

It has also been reported that, as long as nothing crazy happens during the season, Don Mattingly and Michael Hill’s jobs will be safe. I think with the incoming owners, Michael Hill should receive a class in Trading 101. No one wants to see another Andrew Cashner scenario.

Next: Rivals Join Forces for Fish Purchase

While the deal still has quite a ways to go, it seems that there is at least a deal. Now we just have to hope that the other investors will pass the screening process and the rest of baseball will agree on the deal.

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