Within a week ago we have heard that people in Florida wanted the Cubs to move down there to play there spring training. As of right now it looks like the Cubs will stay in Mesa.
While a Collier County, Fla., group may well be serious in its effort to lure the Cubs away from Mesa, Ariz., the chances of the Cubs leaving the greater Phoenix area in the foreseeable future appear to be slim to none, based on the logistical headaches already driving major league teams away from Florida, the Cubs’ centerpiece position in Arizona’s Cactus League and common sense.
The Cubs are using a looming deadline for opting out of their contract with Mesa to court other offers while seeking upgrades to their existing HoHoKam Stadium and Fitch Park facilities to bring them more in line with newer, grander facilities in the Phoenix area such as the one shared by the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale.
Cubs officials have met with groups proposing relocations to both Collier County and Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, but Mesa mayor Scott Smith is betting a 50-year relationship with the Cubs and statewide support that the Cubs aren’t going anywhere.
”We view this as a regional issue, not simply Mesa,” Smith said. ”We’ve got support across the board, from city officials, regional officials and state officials. Obviously, we have to make sure we do what we need to do to successfully keep the Cubs.
”I’m confident we’ll be able to come up with a package that will be very difficult for them to turn down. It’s all here. They have the best chance to succeed here, and Arizona will give its best to provide them with that opportunity.” Chicago Sun-Times!
Well that is good because a lot and I mean a lot of people will be sad if the Cubs move to Florida because they love when the Cubs play in Mesa for Spring Training. Mesa in expected to give the Cubs a new facility for them to stay and that is only what the Cubs want.
I will keep you posted.
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