With the St. Louis Cardinals packing up their equipment following their final Grapefruit League game of 2011 on Tuesday, mixed signals are being received regarding their long-term future in Jupiter, Florida.
Last week, some excitement was generated when it was announced that the Cardinals and Florida Marlins tentatively agreed to a ten-year lease extension with Palm Beach County for continued use of the Roger Dean Stadium complex for spring training and their Florida State League clubs.
First reported by the Palm Beach Post, extension of the agreement through 2027 was crucial in resolving a stalemate over holding of funds for needed maintenance to the facility and clarification on future sourcing of those moneys.
That is not the primary rub over the long haul, however. Both teams demanded and were granted contract wording that allows them to leave Jupiter early in one of two cases. They can bolt if the New York Mets, who train in Port St. Lucie, or the Washington Nationals, who are located in Viera, move from the east coast of Florida.
While the Mets are talking like they are staying put, Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner is making noise like a man soon to be on the move. He confirmed to the Washington Post that the Nationals are actively exploring options to build a new facility on the Gulf Coast of Florida. If that is not successful, Lerner also identified Arizona as a viable option.
Lerner did commit that the Nationals will remain in Viera “at least the next couple years for sure.” Their lease at off-the-beaten-path Space Coast Stadium runs through 2017, but they have an out clause in 2013. Brevard County officials seem resigned to the possibility of losing the Nats, realizing they cannot solve the root issue.
Lerner made it clear that the Nats’ primary “problem” is logistical. The distance between spring training sites has created an untenable travel schedule for them and all the east coast Florida clubs. This situation is not likely to improve, as no teams appear to be interested in moving into the area. It will certainly get worse for the Mets, Cardinals and Marlins if the Nationals relocate.
The new Cardinals-Marlins-Palm Beach County deal is not yet final. The proposal will be reviewed by the Tourist Development Council on April 14 before it appears on the agenda of the County Commission on May 3.
It may not matter over the long term. The Washington Post story also noted almost in passing that the Cardinals have reportedly already been quietly looking into options in the Orlando area. Better scheduling would be possible for their entire baseball operations there.
The current travel distances aren’t just an issue for the major leaguers. Because of the long bus rides, Cardinals minor leaguers are forced to play themselves every third day all spring long when the Mets and Marlins minor leaguers face off – a suboptimal arrangement to say the least.
Despite Cardinals ownership reaffirming their satisfaction with their Florida home since 1998, a Washington shift could also pull St. Louis out of their Jupiter orbit. If the Nationals relocate, St. Louis may have no choice but to get serious about a corresponding move to an area with more conveniently-located competitors.
Time will tell if the proposed ten-year Jupiter extension ends up being anything more than window dressing.
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Note: For those looking for the daily Minor League Spring Training Notebook, be aware that wet grounds kept the Cardinals from playing their scheduled games on Monday.
any recent info on punto? shut down? light duty? grounders and tee work?
I don’t have anything new in the last few days. Last I heard, light work only.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_df8c6aac-5950-11e0-81c2-0017a4a78c22.html
so he’s up to live BP and will need game rehab for his ST, when ready. thanks, that helps.
throw the mets into the mix of teams considering leaving florida: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/mar/28/spring-training-exodus-raises-concerns-about-in/?partner=RSS
Thanks for the link. I had not seen that article. My interpretation of it is that the Mets are staying put, but the local officials plan to try to attract a second team to Port St. Lucie. First they have to find private funding to expand the facility. I wish them good luck with all that, but wouldn’t give it much hope of being successful. Momentum is clearly away from the East Coast.
P.S. I chuckled when I read the part about local traffic. There is only one road in and out of Digital Domain Park. The jams are always long. They should address that no matter what.
I listened to Brendan Ryan interview on Sports Radio 1380. Sounds happy, confident and excited about his new team. He doesn’t have a place to live yet in Seattle. He will enjoy the weather there more (who wouldn’t). Said we shouldn’t worry about Jaime and is pulling for the Cards. He got a congrats text from Albert when he was announced as Mariners starting SS. Said the ‘stache may make an appearance this year. Ended with a DeNiro impersonation.
I’ll be pulling for Brendan to have a great year.
Wasn’t sure what thread this should go with.
Interview with new Astros owner in Jupiter area paper:
Q: Is there any thought to some day moving your team to the area for spring training?
A: Nothing would be better than to have something right here in Stuart. I don’t know if that is possible, but is something we would certainly like to explore. The Mets have contacted us (about sharing Digital Domain Park) and we are currently under contract in Kissimmee. But as soon as that expires, which I think is in two or three years, we would really like to get (a spring training facility) closer to here so that we could utilize (the Floridian) more. That is something we will be talking to (Stuart/Martin County officials) about.
Forgot the link to the Astros owner/Jupiter interview
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/nov/19/jim-crane-new-astros-owner-ready-for-challenge/
That is (potentially) superb news for the Cardinals. I had not seen that article before. Thanks for sharing. I actually have been carrying a Port St. Lucie item on my blog topics list for some time. I may have to move it up in priority.
I have been working on my spring training travel schedule and plan to hit the Cards-Astros in Kissimmee in March. One more interesting side story to add to the growing list.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Peter O’Malley, son of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, will be taking over the lease to the former Dodgertown this week . . . .
. . . . new corporation also includes O’Malley’s sister, Terry O’Malley Seidler; former Dodgers players Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo; as well as MiLB, which has run the center since 2009. . . .
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/dec/27/son-of-former-dodgers-owner-takes-over-lease-of/
I’m not sure what the complex has been used for since the Devil Rays moved their Florida State League affiliate out a few years ago. The Orioles had considered it for a ST site but the locals wouldn’t spend the money for upgrades, I believe.
There is no indication in the story of any forseeable affiliate or ST use, but having baseball people involved will increase interest.
I think it has been used for youth baseball, tourneys, clinics, etc. I doubt MLB is going back though. Too bad as it was my favorite spring training stop, even though it was off the beaten path.
Right. I was there several times as a kid. My brother and I would climb up in the trees that grew in amongst the seating.