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The Tampa Bay Rays’ decision to offload some of their top talent before Tuesday’s trade deadline partially stemmed from a deal to buy the team that never came to be, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

Rays owner Stuart Sternberg was looking to sell the team to a group of local investors for $1.6 billion, according to the report. Sternberg bought the Rays for $200 million back in 2004.

But the deal fell apart when the top investor, who was set to take on a 35 percent stake in the Rays, stepped back from the potential transaction. Another person — or entity — worth $10 billion was also supposed to be involved in the sale, but they too didn’t come through.

Tampa Bay lost 6-2 to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday to fall to 55-53 on the season. It sits 9 1/2 games back of the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles and is also 4 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot, pending Wednesday’s other results.

Even though they have reached the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, the Rays cleaned house over the past week, dealing outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, right-hander Zach Eflin to the Orioles, right-handed reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres and third baseman Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs.

Infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario was also shipped out, with Tampa Bay sending him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baltimore is the only team to see a change in ownership over the past four years.

–Field Level Media