Expos 7 – Mets 1
PORT ST. LUCIE – St. Lucie County is ready to play some hardball. And it may mean a new spring training home for the Mets next year.
County administrator Doug Anderson told The Post yesterday that the county is not interested in signing a short-term deal to keep the Mets, and they already have contacted the Cleveland Indians in order to shape a contingency plan. Dave Howard, the Mets’ senior VP for business and legal affairs, countered last night by saying stagnant attendance at Thomas J. White Stadium is “mystifying.”
“The New York Mets with marquee players in the state of Florida? This is an attraction,” Howard said, incredulous of “flat” gate receipts.
In fact, only 3,433 fans showed up under threatening skies for last night’s 7-1 loss to the Expos.
Anderson said the county does not want to sign for any term of less than five years when negotiations proceed Monday afternoon.
“The county is not interested in one-, two-, or three-year deals,” Anderson said. “That does not enable you to plan and make improvements on the facility. A short-term deal really doesn’t work for us. The minimum is five years or longer.”
The Mets’ current agreement with the county expires at the end of their Minor League and Instructional League use in early November. The Mets have until late spring to exercise a five-year option, something they likely won’t do. They can negotiate with the county throughout the year, although stretching the talks out would hamper their ability to find a new site.
Could the Mets move in time for next year?
“If it came to that, that’s do-able,” Howard said. “If we made that decision, it couldn’t be done in January, but it could be done.”
Owner Fred Wilpon has expressed a desire to sign a shorter deal of one to three years. Wilpon’s hesitancy is based on the formerly poor conditions of the facility. Anderson said $1.5 million in improvements have been made in the past few years to make it one of the better facilities in the majors. Howard spoke glowingly of Anderson’s tenure and the county’s work in maintenance and improvements, but he disagreed with Anderson on one key point: night games.
Because St. Lucie County is a burgeoning working community rather than a retirement haven, Anderson said, many residents can’t attend day games.
Countered Howard: “We try to do as many night games as we can do, but our primary concern is trying to get the players ready for the season. That shouldn’t be the answer. That’s not the answer elsewhere.”
Anderson was optimistic a deal could be struck with the Mets in a matter of weeks.
Howard, who will negotiate for the Mets, was less optimistic. He said the team is averaging 4,700 fans, far fewer than the 5,500-6,000 average in the Grapefruit League.
The Mets have a few options. If the Marlins move their camp to Jupiter next season in the event the Expos fold, the current Marlins’ site in barren, windswept Viera might be available. Jupiter also is a possible future home for the Mets if contraction occurs. And, if Cleveland bolts for Port St. Lucie, Winter Haven might be available.