Miami Marlins Reach 'Handshake' Deal to Sell Team: Reports

MIAMI — Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has reached a "handshake" agreement to sell the team for $1.6 billion, according to a published report.

Quoting sources, Forbes magazine reported that the buyer is a real estate developer based in New York City. ESPN later cited multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations in reporting that Ivanka Trump's father--in-law, Charles Kushner, is part of a potential purchase group.

How much of an interest in the team he would have was unclear. Kushner's son, Jared, is a senior adviser to President Trump.

A spokesman for the Marlins told Patch on Thursday that the team will not comment on the reports.

The Miami Marlins finished their 24th season in third place in the National League East with a 79-82 record in 2016. It was the second straight season that the Marlins finished in third place.

Ichiro Suzuki recorded hit number 3,000 in 2016 to become only the 30th player in Major League history to reach that mark to tie Roberto Clemente for 29th on baseball's all-time hits list.

But the 2016 season was also marked by tragedy with the death of Marlins' ace José Fernández, who was killed in a September boating accident in South Beach.

Photo courtesy Marlins Park.