Report: Marlins owner needs to reduce asking price to sell team

Much has been made of Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria pursuing a buyer for his major league franchise. For a time, it seemed like a group involving Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush was on the verge of acquiring the team. Jeter said no progress has been made, and that was 10 days ago.

Last week, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said opposing bidders were close to one another, though it now appears that Loria's $1.3 billion asking price remains an obstacle. Sources have told the New York Post's Josh Kosman and Ken Davidoff that Loria will have to adjust his expectations accordingly.

"I don’t think anybody will get to $1.3 billion," a sports investment banker said. "Jeb and Derek are still out there and they are not close to getting the money.

"Now, it’s a stale deal."

As of now, one anonymous baseball owner told the Post that no deal is close. The source added that he thinks the price goes down, which could prompt a quicker resolution.

"I think if Jeffrey dropped it to $1 billion there would be buyers," another source said.

There have been no signs yet that Loria intends to lower his asking price, and neither Loria, the Marlins, nor Major League Baseball have commented.