Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles Dodgers don't look like they will be players in the free agent market anytime soon.
According to a report, the Dodgers will not be able to bid on big-time free agents until they are sold.
ESPN.com reported that Los Angeles will have to take a pass on free agents such as Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols until the team is sold, a source close to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said.
The source said that he team is expected to sell for around $1.2 billion in a process that is expected to take 4-6 months. That time frame moves the sale into 2012, further reducing the Dodgers' chances of acquiring players through free agency.
The reports said that potential new owners in the mix to replace McCourt include Peter O'Malley, Fred Claire, Steve Garvey, Orel Hershiser, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Mark Cuban.
The source in the report said O'Malley would be the clear front-runner if he teamed up with Fox.
Fox's Prime Ticket subsidiary, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., holds the team's broadcast rights through the 2013 season and has the exclusive rights of first negotiation from October-November 2012 for a successor agreement.
All possible buyers must be vetted by Major League Baseball as one of the initial steps of the sale, instead of one of the final steps, according to three sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The change was agreed upon by McCourt and MLB.
Dodgers a decent buy
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