By the end of April, five months and four days from now, Frank McCourt must complete the sale of the Dodgers and also pay ex-wife Jamie McCourt a $131 million settlement.

This means, Dodger buyers, that you hold the cards.

Yes, at the end of it all, McCourt will be the one to select one winning ownership group (or combination of groups). But he can only pick from what’s in front of him.

I assume you know not to do this, but here’s a reminder: No one should present any offer that allows McCourt to retain any portion of Dodger operations, specifically the parking lots, much less future TV revenue. I can’t imagine any buyer doesn’t agree with this, but in case someone thinks it might provide an advantage in the bidding, put that shortsighted thought out of your mind. This is not the time for anything but a clean break.