Well, an old-new group, as Houston businessman Jim Crane had previously been mulling an offer before dropping out a month ago. Now he’s back, reports MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. That makes three in the bidding: Crane, Pittsburgh sports lawyer Chuck Greenberg and Beverly Hills insurance man, former agent, and alleged inventor of free agency, Dennis Gilbert.
It’s been reported that Nolan Ryan will bail as team President if Gilbert buys, and that he’ll stay if Greenberg buys, because Ryan is attached to Greenberg’s bid. No word on what happens with Crane.
Ultimately, however, that won’t be a factor in the bidding, of course. As Sullivan reports “economics will drive this deal.” More specifically, cash, as the seller -- Hicks Sports Group -- is in desperate need of it, and will likely accept the bid from whoever is able to get it done as quickly as possible.
A decision on which group gets an exclusive negotiating window with Hicks is supposed to come on Tuesday. Of course, the Cubs were supposed to be sold in a fairly quick time frame too and that took three years.
