The Chicago White Sox might have found a successor for longtime owner Jerry Reinsdorf, although the team has cautioned against jumping to conclusions.
Billionaire Justin Ishbia no longer will pursue buying the Minnesota Twins, shifting his focus to increasing his minority share of the White Sox, The Athletic reported.
Ishbia, who founded a private equity firm in Chicago, has offered to buy shares from other limited partners with the intention of one day taking majority ownership of the team from Reinsdorf (who turns 89 on Tuesday), per the Friday report.
A representative for Ishbia declined to comment to The Athletic, while a White Sox official denied any potential change of ownership is in the works. Ishbia is an investor in the Phoenix Suns of the NBA and the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, owned by his brother, Mat.
The Athletic reported that limited partners in the White Sox were approached by an investor seeking to purchase shares at a franchise valuation of about $1.8 billion.
“Similar to an opportunity in 2021, White Sox limited partners have received an offer from a third party to purchase their shares in the team, providing liquidity for the limited partners on their long-term investment in the club,” White Sox vice-president of communications Scott Reifert said in a statement to multiple media outlets. “This offer to limited partners has no impact on the leadership or operations of the Chicago White Sox and does not provide a path to control.”
Per The Athletic, as news of Justin Ishbia’s quest to buy the Twins spread, the Reinsdorf family approached him about boosting his ownership of the White Sox. Any deal would need league approval.
Shohei Ohtani making progress
In his effort to return to the mound this season after a second elbow surgery since making his MLB debut in 2018, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani hit 95 mph on the radar gun during a throwing session.
Ohtani has not pitched since he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels in 2023. He joined the Dodgers as a free agent prior to last season and won the National League MVP award with his offensive exploits, while becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs with 50 steals in a single season.
“A really positive day for Shohei,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told outlets, including the Orange County Register. “Really good stuff for Shohei.”
Ohtani threw 25 pitches, increasing his total from 14 in his first bullpen session and 21 in his second. Roberts initially said Ohtani might join the Dodgers’ rotation in May then amended that to saying late April is not out of the question.
Former pitcher Eddie Fisher dies
Former All-Star knuckleballer Eddie Fisher died this week in Altus, Okla., after a brief illness. He was 88.
Fisher pitched 15 seasons (1959-73) with six teams and went 85-70 with a 3.41 ERA and 82 saves in 690 games (63 starts).
His best season came in 1965 for the Chicago White Sox when he was an All-Star and finished fourth in American League MVP voting. He went 15-7 with a 2.40 ERA in 24 saves in 165 1/3 innings over a then American League record 82 relief appearances.
During the 1966 season, Fisher was traded to Baltimore and the Orioles went on to win the World Series. He had a combined 20 saves between the White Sox and Orioles that season.
Other news and notes
While MLB.com reported St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros have resumed trade talks regarding St. Louis third baseman Nolan Arenado, The Athletic and the St. Louis Post Dispatch revealed that a deal is not “imminent,” according to Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. … The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran outfielder and first baseman Mark Canha to a minor league deal, according to the New York Post, with an invitation to major league camp. Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins fractured his right shin in batting practice and likely will miss the first month of the season. … Red Sox left-hander Zach Penrod has elbow inflammation and is expected to “be out for a while,” manager Alex Cora told reporters. … In announcing the signing of left-hander Andrew Heaney, the Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-hander Brett de Geus for assignment and released right-hander Yerry Rodriguez.
–Field Level Media
