Here’s the latest from Jon Morosi via a video from FOX Sports:
- Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria thinks incoming commissioner Rob Manfred will be an independent decision-maker and won’t just follow in Bud Selig’s footsteps. In particular, Manfred could help hasten the pace of games and make other improvements to help appeal to younger fans. Manfred could also tackle the issue of competitive balance and could make changes to the draft.
- Morosi notes that David Price’s home debut with the Tigers tonight will also mark the first time he’s ever squared off against Felix Hernandez.
- Cuban free agent 2B/OF Rusney Castillo could get a contract in the range of six years and $50MM, with the Phillies, Cubs, Tigers, Yankees and Red Sox as the main bidders. If a team signs him before the end of August, he’ll be eligible to play in the postseason. (Here’s the latest on Castillo.)
strange… in this particular case, i’m almost hoping the Cubs get outbid by the Yankees….
With the OF talent coming up through their system, i don’t think i want Castillo on a 6-year guaranteed contract.
Well, Castillo has a working visa issue doesn’t he?
Also, if Jeffery Loria saying you’re an independent thinker, then you’re a…
Not sure about that.
That’s an interesting fact, that Price has never faced The King.
I wonder if he will name this game then?
if Loria really thought he was an independent thinker he’d be trying to get him fired already…..
It’s nice to see us in the talk as one of the “main bidders” for Castillo (although I’m sure some Phillies fans will write him off before he plays an inning because of what has happened, so far, with MAG). I’d also hope that the Phillies give Yasmani Tomas a good look (whenever he finally gets all his ducks in a row to actually play in the MLB).
I would hope, that if they can sign one (or both) of those guys, they’d deal Byrd in the offseason (IMO, they should deal him no matter what, assuming they get a fair return on him).
…because if there’s one owner that everyone in baseball trusts, it’s Jeffrey Loria…
Competitive balance issues?