Spending Package May Help Blue Jays Move to East Coast

Are the Toronto Blue Jays about to take flight?

State lawmakers are poised to provide the money for ballpark expansions that could help Palm Beach Gardens land the Blue Jays and Houston Astros for spring training, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Legislators are close to reaching final agreement to spend $3.3 million a year starting in 2015 to help cities and counties develop or expand ballparks for spring training.

"This incentive is aimed at helping pay for a proposed stadium that would be used by the Blue Jays and Houston Astros in Palm Beach Gardens," according to an article in the Tampa Bay Times.

The Blue Jays' lease in Dunedin expires in four years. The team has expressed the desire to have a practice field closer to the stadium. The team has played in Dunedin since 1977.

Lawmakers like the idea of offering the money to cities and counties to develop and build stadiums, because they argue it will keep teams in Florida, instead of moving to other baseball-friendly states with temeprate climates, like Arizona.

According to the Tampa Bay Times:

Spring training has become a huge economic draw for the state, and Gov. Rick Scott called on lawmakers this year to set aside $5 million a year in incentives to halt the exodus.

More Coverage:

• What Dunedin Says About the Blue Jays
• Blue Jays Looking to Leave Dunedin?

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