Cubs Want Nicer Spring Training Digs

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Mar 22, 2009 5:30PM

Perhaps jealous that their crosstown pale hose foes have moved to a new facility, the Cubs are now demanding an upgrade to their current Spring Training home in Mesa, Arizona (pictured right), according to The Arizona Republic. The Cubs currently are signed to stay in Mesa through 2016 but have an opt-out clause that would allow them to bail as soon as 2012 if they feel the proper upgrades aren't made. And while the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority has $8.2 million set aside for renovations, that cash won't be available until 2020.

Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney told reporters, "We've enjoyed our time in Mesa, and they've done a good job for us here. But the question is, if anybody's been to Goodyear or (Camelback Ranch) Glendale, we no longer have a facility commensurate with the type of team we have." Mesa Mayor Scott Smith acknowledged that the Cubs have informed him they already have a suitor in Florida, adding, "If we can't satisfy what they want, they'll look at other places. This community is committed to keeping the Cubs here. I'm confident we'll come up with something to keep everyone happy."

This comes on the heels of last fall's murmuring among players of wishes for a new stadium after the team relocated to Milwaukee's newer, nicer stadium for a series against the Astros (thanks to that never-ending rain).