MLB Rumors: Could Brewers owners move the team?
Milwaukee Brewers ownership is threatening to move the team based on a lack of movement in American Family Field updates. While the team is tied to the stadium via a lease through 2030, the Brewers are using the prospect of relocation to apply pressure and get those updates passed — with public funds attached — rather quickly.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers proposed a $290 million package full of taxpayer dollars to upgrade the stadium a few months ago. Since then, there's been little movement on that front by lawmakers. In fact, Evers proposal was virtually scrapped of all potential stadium updates, which Brewers executives were not please with.
"The Brewers genuinely want to stay, it is only a question of whether they'll be able to with the (stadium) district broke," a source familiar with negotiations told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the governor's office stated that the two sides remain in talks for a deal which would include stadium funds.
"We will keep working with both sides of the aisle to find a creative solution to ensure the stadium district can meet its obligations, and sign a generational lease extension at American Family Field," Ewers said in a statement.
In the initial proposal, stadium funds would help the Brewers make their improvements to American Family Field, and in return the new lease would run through 2043.
It's unclear exactly how serious Milwaukee is about leaving the city and its fans behind, but as we've seen with the Oakland Athletics, it is certainly something to keep an eye on. The Brewers are integral to the Milwaukee community, and as unfair as it may be to request public funds for a new or upgraded stadium, it's sadly the way things are done in modern professional sports here in the states.
MLB Rumors: NY Mets have a new top free agent target
The New York Mets are expected to be in on the Shohei Ohtani free agent chase, but assuming they are unable to land the Japanese star, currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels, the organization has a solid backup plan with Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Mets general manager Billy Eppler has connections in Japan, and has even scouted Yamamoto personally. Yamamoto has a 1.57 in 16 starts so far this season, and he likely fits the Mets timeline better than Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander ever did. Scherzer insisted that in talks with New York's front office around the deadline, he got the impression the team intends on contending come 2025, but not next season.
While Scherzer is to be believed — and the Mets could even trade Pete Alonso this offseason — it seems unlikely that Steve Cohen and Eppler don't spend some money this winter. It's Cohen's way, and Yamamoto is only 25 years old. He'll come at a far cheaper price tag than Ohtani, and pairs well with Kodai Senga, who the Mets signed this past offseason.
New York's young core is worth keeping an eye on, as well. The Mets have Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos on the come up, plus they acquired Luisangel Acuña, Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford in trades for Scherzer and Verlander. In doing so, they reset their competitive timeline, rather than relying on aging pitchers on short-term deals.
MLB Rumors: Braves minor-league rebrand has fans in shambles
The Rome Braves have been affiliated with the Atlanta big-league squad for over two decades. That affiliation will continue for some time to come — but with a different name.
Braves fans weren't thrilled with this decision, as it's reason for pause: If Rome can change their name, could Atlanta be next? Of course, there's nothing to suggest the Atlanta Braves are considering such a drastic change. Despite the Cleveland Indians changing their name to the Cleveland Guardians, Atlanta seems to have a positive relationship with the Native American community in their area. The tomahawk chop, for now, is not necessarily encouraged by the franchise, though fans do it anyway on a regular basis.
The Rome Braves offered the following statement on their decision:
"After twenty proud years as the Rome Braves, the time has come to usher in a new era of Minor League Baseball in Rome, Georgia. In 2024, the Rome Professional Baseball Club will take the field under a new name. Our mission is to give the Rome community a brand as unique and special as the area itself is. For Braves fans, our long-standing affiliation with the Atlanta Braves will continue for years to come, however we want to create an identity that fans across the region can proudly claim and call their own.
With our deep ties to the Rome community, it is imperative to let their voice be heard. That is why beginning Friday August 11th, fans can submit their ideas for new names of the Rome Professional Baseball Club. Submissions will be open from August 11th to August 18th."
Fans can submit possible name change ideas via the following form.
A rebrand is in order for Rome.