MLB’s version of Marlins payroll slashing disputed by Le Batard and sources

BY BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@miamiherald.com

DECEMBER 20, 2017 02:25 PM

UPDATED DECEMBER 20, 2017 05:29 PM

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred insisted Wednesday that the commissioner’s office was not aware before the sale of the team that the Marlins’ new owners planned to dramatically slash payroll, a fact disputed by two people directly involved in the negotiating process.

In a combative interview on ESPN Radio, host Dan Le Batard told Manfred: “We are starting with a lie” when Manfred said he did not know the plans of new owners Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman during the approval process.

“I’m not going to have you call me a liar!” Manfred said.

Two people directly involved in the sales process said that Jeter and Sherman were required to tell other owners their intentions with payroll during the approval process, and that they informed the other owners that payroll would be cut from $115 million to the $85 million to $90 million range, with $85 million used at times and $90 million other times in those discussions.

Last year’s team would have cost about $140 million if it were kept together.

The Marlins’ current projected payroll for 2018 stands at about $94 million after the team traded Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon and Marcell Ozuna.

Pressed by Le Batard about whether he was aware of Jeter’s plan, Manfred said: “No. We did not have player specific plans from the Miami Marlins or any other team during the approval ownership process. Those are decisions the individual owners make. We do not approve operating decisions by any ownership, new owner or current owners. As a result, the answer is no.”

Pressed further by Le Batard, he said: “I’m not going to be deposed like this in some adversary thing. I will answer the way I want to answer.”


A source directly involved in the Marlins sales process, after hearing the Le Batard interview, said, via text: “Commissioner said was not aware of [Jeter] plan to slash payroll. Absolutely not true. They request and receive the operating plan from all bidders.

“Project Wolverine [the name for Jeter’s plan] called on his group to reduce payroll to $85 million. This was vetted and approved by MLB prior to approval by MLB. Every [Jeter] investor and non investor has the Wolverine financial plan of slashing payroll to $85 million. Widely circulated.”

Baseball agent fired after report he placed camera in shower

AP / 2:00 am ET Thu Jan 11, 2018

ATLANTA (AP) — A baseball agent has been fired after an accusation he used a camera to surreptitiously record clients in a shower.

CSE Talent, the agency headed by Lonnie Cooper, said in a statement Wednesday that it had fired Jason Wood, who had headed its baseball division since last April.

FanRag Sports reported a player, whom it did not identify, discovered the camera while using a shower at Wood's home.

"For over 32 years, CSE Talent has prided itself on our moral and ethical standards and have built a solid reputation within the industry. We take pride in working with people who represent these values," CSE President Danny Martoe said in a statement. "It's unfortunate that CSE Talent aligned itself with someone who didn't uphold these same standards, and therefore we chose to terminate with cause Wood's employment."

Wood was suspended Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association, which was informed of the allegation earlier in the day by CSE. The union, which certifies agents, said it will give Wood a chance to respond.

"The allegations that have surfaced today are absurd and untrue," Woods said in a statement sent to some baseball writers . "Over the past 13 years I have worked tirelessly to build a successful agency through integrity and hard work. I am disappointed that there are those who have chosen to spread some irresponsible and harmful rumors."

Wood did not respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment and did not answer his cellphone. His clients included Boston's Andrew Benintendi.

Martoe and General Counsel Brian Roof will head the baseball division, CSE said.

Major League Baseball declined comment.