Two weeks ago a reporter for the Sarasota newspaper asked us what could kill a proposed new spring-training camp for the Boston Red Sox in downtown Sarasota, and our reply was simple: the easiest way to scotch a deal would be a demand for money up front on the $59-million project. Sure enough, that’s exactly what Sarasota did — and sure enough, the project is now dead after the Red Sox and Sarasota halted negotiations.
Two weeks ago a reporter for the Sarasota newspaper asked us what could kill a proposed new spring-training camp for the Boston Red Sox in downtown Sarasota, and our reply was simple: the easiest way to scotch a deal would be a demand for money up front on the $59-million project. Sure enough, that’s exactly what Sarasota did — and sure enough, the project is now dead after the Red Sox and Sarasota halted negotiations.
Sarasota had most of the financing of a new facility in place, but some local officials were insisting that the Red Sox put up money up front instead of contributing via a fair-market rent. In general, MLB teams don’t put up money for spring-training facilities, especially these days when cities like Goodyear and Glendale were willing to shoulder all the costs. Neither side would back down (and the Red Sox made it quite clear at the outset of negotiations they’d never agree to prepayments of any sort), and what was once a sure thing has dissipated into a dead end. Now, it’s possible Sarasota officials could change their minds and back off their demands for up-front money; we think the Red Sox would be eager to come back to the table without that condition.
So what happens? The Red Sox will probably continue looking for a new spring home, with the team now in play and other Florida cities willing to explore the financial benefits of hosting Boston fans. Lee County will probably still put forth another plan for a new facility, probably far out in the burbs. Sarasota officials issued this statement: "The City and County will continue to explore, in a fiscally responsible manner, any and all options in connection with the future of Payne Park and the Ed Smith Stadium Complex." One possibility, we are told, is the city working on a deal for the Baltimore Orioles to play at a renovated Ed Smith Stadium — a project that would carry a lower price tag than a new Payne Park ballpark. The Orioles are in the hunt for a new spring facility; Indian River County and Vero Beach officials keep saying they have a deal to bring the Orioles to Dodgertown, but it’s no secret the Orioles braintrust has held off committing to Dodgertown, waiting to see what the Red Sox do. With Sarasota in play and the Orioles already having a presence there — O’s minor leaguers train at Sarasota’s Twin Lakes Park — discussions between Sarasota and the Orioles is the next logical step for both.