Wow. Have looked at site for some time and things are not looking good for the MLB to PDX front. I, and some others, have mentioned before MLB2PDX was a good 10-15 years out and this is looking more a sure thing at this point. Chase field is ok, but seeing pro-ball whenever it fits the schedule is great. Also, spring fever is in the air down here in the desert (lots of NW family coming down next month), so the baseball blood is starting to flow. We just have to get past the Shaq-craze right now.

Hey Rockstar and everyone,

I'm also in sunny Phoenix right now for a conference - Tempe, actually - our hotel is next door to Tempe Diablo Stadium. The doors were wide open yesterday (crews were setting up), I just waltzed right in, strolled around, and nobody said a thing. Too bad I have to fly home tonight since it has been absolutely gorgeous here. A lot of the conference attendees came from sub-zero temperatures... at least I only have to deal with 40's and rain in PDX.

Yep, nothing is going on. Merritt Paulson is trying to work out a stadium deal that will keep MLB as an option in the future, but other than that, nada. Even Tampa is trying to swing a deal that will prevent them from becoming a relocation candidate 10-15 years down the road, so in my opinion, it's expansion (which will not be discussed before Bud is gone) or nothing. Or, for me, move to Phoenix (and boil in the summer), or move to Cleveland and freeze in the winter.

Oh, and Rockstar - hope you didn't buy a house in Phoenix last year... that market is in an absolute free-fall.

CL,

So you are hearing from someone that Mr. Paulson is working a move of the Beavers into a expandable stadium location. Where is the link for this?

I believe we can infer (based on public statements) that your statement is correct but more details and who he is speaking to would be GREAT! I would guess that the City; Metro; Multnomah County; other entities are being asked for information and FYIs. Hopefully we will not see a "Bush" move like was done with the Texas Rangers stadium. But maybe his father and W are giving him pointers.

Like we have been talking about here for years now, we have a chance to create a true year round Sports Complex with excellent transportation options.

Will that vision become a reality 50 years from now will be the question. Will the investors that believe in that Vision be Paulson and Allen? Allen is an outstanding Real Estate developer and maybe he will concentrate in PDX after his South Union Lake land is built out.

The timing seems right and the synergy of having the two cities more linked seems logical. We will know in less than five years.

BB

Since spring is in the air, I am very excited to take the family from the NW to the Mariners spring training facility in two weeks. My brother-in-law is an avid Dodger fan and he can not wait any longer until next year to see the Dodgers in Goodyear. The Dodgers, along with the Indians, and perhaps the Reds by 2010 will be one great spring training festival. I have a feeling that the Cactus League is starting to take over the Grapefruit league one team at a time. Maybe someday Portlanders will be able to come down and watch their own team during spring training (perhaps when my 7 year old has his own kids?). Play Ball!!!

Boomer,

I don't have any sources other than the articles that have been posted in here in recent months. I think the situation with the new turf at PGE Park is bigger than meets the eye in that the success and plausibility of it will end up impacting the whole MLS/AAA/MLB site situation.

Rockstar,

The Reds at Goodyear would be awesome (two Ohio teams around the Ohio-inspired cities of Goodyear and Buckeye) but it will be tough to pull off for two reasons:

1. Funding - AZSTA funding mechanism is dry so it will be entirely up to Goodyear, and as you know local governments are hurting in AZ with the real estate crash (which, and I repeat, I sincerely hope you are not being victimized by right now);

2. Scheduling - Unless another team comes over with the Reds (and there are no prime candidates now that the Orioles are moving into Dodgertown), or an existing Cactus League team moves to Florida (I'd say the Brewers and Rockies are the "best" candidates based on their stadium leases, stadium locations, and relatively poor attendance - but really there are no great candidates to move to FL), you're looking at having 15 teams in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues. This would be a scheduling nightmare.

TCL you bring up some valid points, but here in the desert it seems different. I honestly believe the cities will come up with whatever they need to in order to bring more teams here. The economic benefits are just simply amazing. There is plenty of money here in the valley, even though they don't admit it right now. My prediction is the Reds will be joining their buckeye state counterpart in short order. The politicians down here have the right attitude to get it done (it helps when most our from somewhere else).

Rockstar,

I hope you're right, but it is far from certain. Even if the funding does get sorted out (and I agree that plucky Goodyear may be able to pull it off, despite their huge tax shortfall, moribund construction industry, and collapsing real estate prices), the scheduling issues are massive and cannot be waved off with a quick "Hey, we're Arizona... we'll make it work because we have the political will (unlike you lame-oes in the Pacific Northwest)." There are very few off days built in to the spring training schedule, and having split squad games every day is highly impractical if not impossible.