An Angels team official on Thursday said that the team has resumed discussions with the city of Anaheim about "staying in aging Angel Stadium after striking out in a possible bid to relocate to Tustin," according to Scott Schwebke of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Anaheim City Council and Angels officials have had "several meetings since October" about the ballpark. The Angels had "terminated talks" with Anaheim in September '14 while "continuing discussions with Tustin" about building a ballpark at the former Marine Corps Air Station. A new ballpark could cost $500M-$1B or more. Angels Owner Arte Moreno has until '19 to "opt out of the current Angels Stadium lease and must disclose his intent to opt out" by October '18. If a new Anaheim lease -- or new venue -- is "not secured and the opt-out clause is not exercised, the team is contractually bound to remain" until '29. Anaheim and the Angels "began talking about revising the lease" in '10, with an eye on $130-150M in "needed renovations and repairs." They have not determined which "upgrades the city and Angels are responsible for" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 8/12). Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said that the City Council has "not yet been briefed on the talks" and that he would "like the city to strike a deal with the Angels." In L.A., Bill Shaikin notes in '14, the Angels "explored options for new ballparks" in L.A., Carson and Irvine, but "prioritized Tustin because of its proximity to the current stadium and fan base." The Angels "have not ruled out renewing a search outside Anaheim, or simply letting their current lease there play out." Shaikin: "For now, however, the focus appears to be on a new deal with Anaheim" (L.A. TIMES, 8/12).
