FORT WORTH, Texas — Billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and a group led by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan were locked in a fierce bidding war for the Rangers early today, with each side adding millions to the pot in a rare and contentious bankruptcy court auction.
Just before midnight, the group led by team president Ryan and sports attorney Chuck Greenberg made a bid of $365 million in cash — a portion of its total bid — and dropped provisions worth $12 million.
Cuban’s group countered with a $390 million cash offer, part of a $598 million bid, and that’s where things stood as the hearing stretched into today, with no end in sight.
Both bids include more than $200 million of the team’s debt — including $24.9 million in deferred compensation owed to Alex Rodriguez six years after he was traded to the Yankees.
The latest Greenberg-Ryan offer showed that Major League Baseball’s preferred owner was back in the game.
Phillies acquire Sweeney
SEATTLE — The Phillies acquired five-time all-star Mike Sweeney from the Mariners for a player to be named or cash considerations.
Sweeney, 37, batting .263 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 30 games; however, he has been on the disabled twice this season because of back issues.
Footnotes.
Dodgers catcher Russell Martin was placed on the 15-day DL because of a hip injury.
• Blue Jays catcher John Buck will go on the 15-day DL today with a cut right thumb.
• Braves pitcher Kris Medlen suffered a potentially serious right elbow injury in Atlanta’s game against the Mets. He is scheduled for an MRI today.
• The Cardinals put reliever Jason Motte on the 15-day DL retroactive to Tuesday with a shoulder injury.
• The Red Sox activated outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) and sent outfielder Daniel Nava to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The Associated Press
