Atlanta Braves Still Mulling New Spring Options in Florida

Sarasota is one suitor for a new Spring home for the Braves, but thus far most options are still awaiting a commitment – on both sides.

A report in Sunday’s Sarasota Herald-Tribune indicates that there is still interest and activity going on toward getting a deal for a new Spring Complex for the Atlanta Braves in North Port (near Port Charlotte; roughly halfway between Sarasota and Ft. Myers), though progress has been slow as the team continues to weigh multiple options.

At one point, Sarasota County had envisioned a dual-team facility in which the Braves and second club would start their seasons in the midst of a planned development called ‘West Villages’, but at this point, no second club has emerged – a fact that could hurt the County’s bid.

State grants that would be part of the local financial package begin at roughly $20 million if one team is involved, but could be as high as $50 million if two teams are to share a new facility.

Unfortunately for Sarasota County, other clubs they were trying to lure away have opted to make other plans rather than move to Florida’s southwest coast.

Officials for the county declined to name any of the other clubs that they were negotiating with, but a key one may have been the Detroit Tigers, who recently announced their commitment to Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland… along with a $40.8 million renovation and redevelopment project.

It’s Still a Money Thing

The Braves have given themselves some additional time to consider options as they have extended their lease at Disney World for the 2018 season. This became a necessity as it was clear that no new facility could be constructed in time for 2018.

With that, plus the likelihood that Atlanta will fly solo into a new field… wherever it ends up… they are taking that extra time to “[rework and look] at their program as far as design and cost estimates” according to a spokesman for the West Villages project.

My own belief is that the Florida West Coast is favored, with Sarasota and Collier (Naples area) counties being the likely front-runners, in that order.

West Palm Beach on the Atlantic side is still possible, though despite historic ties to the Braves, this site may be less likely since they are about to cut the ribbon on a new, joint facility for the Astros and Nationals, and thus have already spent quite a bit of funds for baseball.

If the only factor was proximity to other teams wintering in Florida, then the North Point site would win out – most of the teams are on the West Coast, and the drive times would be a lot more palatable than though from Disney World. Plus the idea of sharing the East Coast with all of the NL East teams (excepting Philly) isn’t terribly appealing.

A Bonus for the Winner?

More from Tomahawk Take

One interesting factor: as the Braves have just relocated their High-A minor league operations to Kissimmee (the Florida Fire Frogs) and the Florida State League, there could be a year-round opportunity for whichever community ultimately lands the Spring Training gig.

The Herald-Tribune notes correctly that the lease for the Fire Frogs at the Osceola County Stadium between Kissimmee and St. Cloud only runs through 2020.

The Braves already own all of the franchises in their minor league system with the exception of that particular club. After 2020, there’s a good chance for them to take control of the Fire Frogs as well and move them to… wherever the new Spring facility is built… and make all of the “Braves” branding consistent at all levels of play.

So… North Port Braves? Florida Braves? Naples Braves? Boca Braves? Any of these are possible… though not for a few years yet.

Hopefully by then we’ll stop the speculation and move on to construction and baseball.

Next: Gentlemen? Can we just get this done already?

The wheels of government move slowly, but it seems that the Braves’ own wheels are matching their pace as we continue to wait out the news on where the team will go A.D. (After Disney).

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