Report: Jeter's group lone Marlins bidder that planned to cut payroll
The Miami Marlins' new ownership group - led by CEO and part-owner Derek Jeter - has come under heavy criticism this winter after using its first months in charge to purge salaries in a payroll-slashing fire sale. Now, it appears the franchise's direction this offseason could have been very different had Jeter's bid been rejected.
Sources told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that Jeter and Sherman were the lone prospective ownership group that planned to cut the Marlins' payroll upon purchasing the franchise from Jeffrey Loria.
Prior to the transaction, Miami's 2017 payroll ran a hair over $115 million. Since taking over, Jeter and Sherman have cut it to about $72.9 million, according to Spotrac.
Details of what the Marlins may have looked like under different ownership have begun to emerge. Cuban-American businessman Jorge Mas - whose $1-billion offer for the team fell just short of the winning $1.2-billion bid - told Jackson that his plans for the Marlins included keeping franchise icon Giancarlo Stanton and his expensive contract, while also increasing payroll to $130 million in 2018.
A source within Major League Baseball told Jackson that billionaire Wayne Rothbaum, author of another losing bid for the franchise, also had no plans to slash salaries. Rather, Rothbaum was prepared to lose "substantial" amounts of money in the immediate term while keeping payroll steady and cutting the salaries of various executives - money that would have then been funneled back into players' salaries.
Questions surrounding the Jeter-Sherman ownership began with a November report suggesting the group, having already completed the purchase, was still searching for additional investors. The situation reached a head during Jeter's combative town hall meeting with season-ticket holders last week.
Even commissioner Rob Manfred got pulled into the controversy this week when - shortly after his tense and aggressive interview with a Miami radio station - a report alleged that he was aware of Jeter and Sherman's plans to cut payroll before approving the purchase.
Related: Commissioner reportedly knew about Marlins' intent to slash payroll
Already this winter the Marlins have traded Stanton - weeks after he won the NL MVP - and All-Star outfielder Marcell Ozuna for prospects and salary relief. Stars who have remained in Miami are said to be disappointed by the new direction, with J.T. Realmuto reportedly asking to be traded.
Jeter has already said he has no plans to talk with any of his disappointed players.