Resumption of Talks with Anaheim Doesn’t Mean the Angels Won’t Take Flight

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, left, argues a call with home plate umpire Bill Miller (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, left, argues a call with home plate umpire Bill Miller  (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia, left, argues a call with home plate umpire Bill Miller
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The Orange Juice Blog’s publisher Vern Nelson took an LA Times article that the Angels had resumed talks with the City of Anaheim as an indication the team wasn’t moving.  It’s clear he didn’t read the story.

From the LA Times article, these gems:

  • The Angels have renewed talks with the city of Anaheim about an Angel Stadium renovation and lease extension. (Renovation means the team won’t have to pony up millions for “repairs” to an aging stadium that’s the fourth oldest in the major leagues if they reach agreement to stay).
  • “Right now, we are in discussions with Anaheim to see if we can find a way to continue to deliver a high-quality fan experience in a city-owned aging stadium,” Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey said.  Note the phrase “city-owned aging…”)
  • In 2013, the Anaheim City Council approved the framework of a deal in which the Angels would have paid an estimated $150 million to refurbish Angel Stadium in exchange for a $1-per-year lease on part of the surrounding parking lot, providing team owner Arte Moreno with the opportunity to recoup his stadium renovation costs with profitable development of the surrounding land.   

    Tait immediately objected, suggesting the team and city share the development profits. The city also commissioned an appraisal that valued the land at $225 million when leased to a developer.  We’ll note here that the development and any profits would come from Moreno assuming all of the risk in developing the site and making it profitable, with the city sharing in the profits (to what percentage was never released).  If Tait wants the city to share in the development profits, it would make sense that the city assume half the cost for developing the site too.

  • The Angels have not ruled out renewing a search outside Anaheim, or simply letting their current lease there play out. For now, however, the focus appears to be on a new deal with Anaheim.  With neither the Raiders or the Chargers looking at moving to Carson in the immediately future, that football stadium site could easily become a baseball park site. Close to freeways, plenty of space for parking, and look what the state did to greenlight environment concerns over the Sacramento Kings new arena; they could happen in Carson too.
  • The council last year retained Wylie Aitken, a high-profile Orange County attorney, as its lead negotiator in talks with the Angels, although city staff appears to be leading this round of discussions. Aitken has not invoiced the city for any work related to the Angels, according to city records obtained by the Los Angeles Times. He also did not return several calls from The Times.  The city’s lead negotiator hasn’t done anything and city staff is leading the discussion.
  • I also want to point out Tait’s children still own property given to them by Tait that, if the team should leave, would enrich the Tait family significantly.  So what Tait says might be a fair deal for the people of Anaheim

Bill Shaikin is a solid reporter and, with Orange County roots, is one that likely wants the Angels to stay put.

Now don’t get me wrong, the Angels back at the table talking to Anaheim is great and positive news.  But to suggest they aren’t going anywhere is naïve and not final by any means.  It still looks like they are still seeking an alternative site and when negotiations resume, it’s entirely possible Arte Moreno may want a better deal — mainly a new stadium to stay in Anaheim.  If Anaheim won’t work with the team, don’t be surprised if the team pulls up stakes and leaves.  The Anaheim would join the ranks of the Washington Senators, Seattle Pilots, and the Montreal Expos of teams that have found new places to play (Texas, Milwaukee and DC).

Angels Stadium is not a world class venue for baseball.  It lacks the charm of Wrigley Field or Fenway Park, but doesn’t come close to say Petco Park in San Diego or AT&T Park in San Francisco for comfort and amenities.  Not that any of the geniuses at the OJ blog have attended a game there this decade.  The team is having a rough go with injuries and bad breaks, but in baseball, that can turnaround in a single season.

If they city wants to stay in the stadium business, its possible a half-billion or more might be needed.  Or, they can lease or sell city land to Moreno to let him build his own new Angels Stadium.  Tait wants a fair deal for Anaheim; start looking at what the city would lose if the team moves.  The Angels contribute millions to Anaheim charities that will go elsewhere.  The surrounding businesses would suffer.  Losing the Angels makes it less likely Anaheim might be considered for an NBA expansion franchise or relocation.

It’s not realistic to expect the Angels to renew a status quo deal.

 

 

11 Comments

  1. Frankly, Vern’s adolescent approach to this subject is disappointing. It’s not about who is RIGHT or who was WRONG. It’s about the greater good. This guy and his cronies are dead set on a socialistic solution however unrealistic.

    That’s not to say, the previous discussions were not tilted. Of course they were, that’s what business men do. This seems to be lost on the largely unemployed crew at Orange Juice Blog (Correct me if I am wrong, but Greg Diamond, Vern Nelson, David Zenger, Cynthia Ward are largely without regular work).

    OJB has NO idea, what led to last week’s announcement, instead, the proclaim: WE WERE RIGHT; EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG.

    The reality is, one of the gating factors in Tustin being successful was the need for environmental clean-up (not unlike the OC VETS site). This is all predicated on HIGH LEVEL individuals being able to divert funds from ground water clean up monies into stadium development. Democratic Stalwart Barbara Boxer’s son, a real estate developer involved in Oakland’s Howard Terminal project. He along with Michael Ghielmetti hosted a Hillary Clinton event last winter (see: http://www.ebcitizen.com/2016/02/confluence-of-howard-terminal-ballpark.html ) for details. That link should put a cork in the Paul Lucas/ Henry Lipton version of Jose Mereno’s new identity “Jesse”. WAIT, I thought obvious fake names were disallowed there, according to Greg Diamond……..Oh, if, you agree then that’s ok, right Panda?

    At the end of the day these negotiations will continue. The POWERFUL will trump the piddlyass lawyer and his anonymous “civic” client(s).

    Best part is, when Vern talks about “Southern California representation in the US Senate, he fails to realize, Barbara Boxer has called Palm Spring home for 11 years, and that’s where Mr. Moreno, Seantor Boxers Son, and MLB officials met this spring.

    Zenger, Ward, Nelson and the other two who don’t live in Anaheim are gonna save us.

    • Yes, after reading the LA Times article it does look like OC Blog may have been premature or hopeful but I have seen a lot worse in terms of creative writing. In any event I don’t think Mr Diamond was involved in the decision process to publish. Mr. Nelson is the head editor and the article is being listed as written by Mr. Nelson only. I have seen it when one or more of them write that both names appear. I think it is okay and has a basis in fact but I get your point.

      On another note, isn’t Attorney Akin a big time democrat? I am not sure that matters but I think it is interesting that he is appointed to handle these negotiations. Wasn’t the vote 3-2? (Tait, Vanderbilt and Brandman-two Republicans and a democrat). In the google search I did he seems to be a great lawyer and very well connected in Orange County. Seems to be an impressive guy but these are big time negotiations. I wish him the best.

  2. Jose is part of the CATER cabal that runs the STOP DISNEY FB page right Vern?

    And its your psycho buddy Greg that obsessrs over IP addresses, handles and becomes “unnerved” when somebody who seemingly knows something about local politics but he doesn’t know them (his words). If thats not obsessive or crazy, I’ll buy Henry Lipton a bong rip.

    • Nope, Jose has nothing to do with CATER or STOP DISNEY. (Which I consider an unfortunate name.) I think he agrees with a lot of their positions, but he can speak for himself.

  3. Oh. I guess I read that wrong. Strange.
    Any idea who is behind this anonymous band of cowards?
    It’s like a CATER without Brians money and Cythia’s free food!

    I see Dr. Morono reposted 7 of 10 recent posts. Has commented some 33 times on its posts 16 of 30 subjects there indirectly point back to him.

    For the record, I met him once. Nice guy, weak handshake, big mouth and COMPLETELY out of touch.

    I’ll take you at your word. Because I know you and Crazy Greg, hate anonymous “political ninja’s” hiding in the weeds. Does Coco Puff even know about this?

Comments are closed.