ABC7 Sports: Noah’s Notes

Don’t Worry, Sox Not Leaving

Despite the Red Sox’ admission that they explored a spring training opportunity in Sarasota, members of Red Sox Nation South need not worry.  These kind of “explorations” happen all the time (right Cape Coral?  right Bonita Springs?) and- according to my sources with the team - the Red Sox have very little reason to leave Ft. Myers.

Boston has sold out City of Palms Park 73 straight times, their stadium and clubhouses are better-than-average, and the only thing the franchise could possibly want more would be a single site for all their teams (compared to their current situation where the major-league and minor-league squads train on different ends of Edison Ave.).

All of that said, we did some digging into the fine print of the Sox’ lease with Lee Co.   While the agreement lasts through at least 2018*, they could buy out after next spring.  The cost of the buyout?  One million dollars.  A lot to you or me…but to the Red Sox, it represents about 11 innings from Josh Beckett…seven at-bats from Manny Ramirez…or a 15-day DL stint for J.D. Drew.

So, while it would be easy enough for the Sox to leave, if it ain’t broke, they probably won’t fix it.  Sarasota seems to be getting a pretty nice package together for a new team to replace the recently-departed Reds…but it will be equally nice for a team like Baltimore or Washington - teams aren’t in love with their training situations on Florida’s East Coast.

Don’t worry Sox fans….your team isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

*Interesting note - the Sox and Lee Co. agreed to a 15-year lease extension in 2004, lasting until 2019.  However, that’s 16 years.  Go ahead, do the math.  It is a typo in the lease that never got fixed.  Everyone is aware of it but doesn’t seem too concerned - an extension or buyout is likely before then.  So while some may say the current lease runs through 2018…it actually runs through 2019.  It just depends who you ask.