The Arizona Diamondbacks seem committed to operating on a higher level than they have in years past. This mindset has driven them to a conclusion that they have made clear: they will get a new stadium.
The release of a statement by Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall makes clear what Arizona’s sentiments are toward their current situation. The Diamondbacks feel that Chase Field has fallen out of “state of the art” classification, and that it is the responsibility of Maricopa County to provide the team with such a facility under the terms of the lease agreement between the two entities. Because of the county’s failure, Arizona is asking Maricopa County to give the team permission to seek alternatives. That’s where the language of Hall’s statement gets interesting.
Hall makes it clear that due to what he sees as the county’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities under the lease agreement, the Diamondbacks aren’t bound to comply with it.
"“Because of the district’s breaches and the frustrations of purpose as described in this letter, the Diamondbacks do not believe that the team continues to be bound by the requirement of FUA Section 11.2.1.2.”"
He goes on to say that seeking written permission from the county is simply an act of courtesy by the team.
"“However, to avoid any dispute, we request that you give us written permission, to look elsewhere…”"
The county has refused to give the team such permission, reports Craig Harris, because the agreement between the two parties prohibits such activity until 2024.
Making improvements to the existing Chase Field to bring it up to “state of the art” status isn’t something the team is interested in, according to Hall. Several times in the statement, Hall refers to the amount of $187 million required to make necessary improvements to Chase Field, but insists that even doing so would fall short of what Arizona is seeking.
"“…the $187 million would cover only basic maintenance and repair costs. It would do very little to upgrade the stadium to a ‘state-of-the-art facility’-it would only enable an aging building to remain open.”“We are not prepared, nor are we willing (or obligated), to expend $187 million, or any monies, to solve the deficiencies the District acknowledges exist.”"
There are many questions yet to be answered in regard to a new stadium for the Diamondbacks. Who will blink first, the county or the team? If a similar situation involving the Tampa Bay Rays and the city of St. Petersburg is any indicator, it will be the county who eventually folds. That’s if the Diamondbacks give them the time to do so, however.
It’s hard to predict the actions of Arizona’s regime. This is the same organization that made Zack Greinke the highest paid player in baseball in terms of annual contract value after never having entered a nine-figure total salary agreement, ever. Over the last decade, they’ve gone through phases of farm loading, farm selling, all-in-for-this-year trading binges and moderate spending sprees on “undervalued” free agents. It’s hard to put beginning to shop their home games past them even as quickly as tomorrow.
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The reality of professional baseball in 2016 is that competing on the field on a consistent basis is a result of winning battles off the diamond. Staying competitive in the battle of the bottom line is about attracting the general public and prying their dollars out of their bank accounts while you have their attention. Arizona feels that only a new stadium will enable it to do that, and one way or another, they will do what they have to do to stay competitive.