The Mets are "on the verge of blowing up their stadium renovation deal" with St. Lucie and looking for a new Spring Training home, reports Keona Gardner of the TC Palm.
According to Gardner, the potential of the Mets looking for a new Spring Training home comes amid the ongoing renovation plans for First Data Field -- something Gardner reports has gotten contentious, with St. Lucie county blowing through their original budget and demanding more money from the Mets.
Gardner notes that the Mets have already given an extra $2 million toward the renovation costs, adding that the county commission will meet on Tuesday to decide whether to approve the revised project and financing.
"We're hopeful for a positive outcome on Tuesday," the Mets said on Thursday.
In November of 2016, St. Lucie County extended their lease with the Mets for 25 years and committed $55 million in renovations to Tradition Field and the spring training facility.
The renovations, which have not yet begun construction, are supposed to include new major and minor league clubhouses, a new practice field, a connector for fans around the outfield at Tradition Field, and a Little League / softball complex.
"We understand (the Mets') frustration, but we are equally frustrated. We hope to continue to work with the New York Mets," county spokesman Erick Gill told Gardner. "We have to make a compromise that benefits everyone - not just the Mets, but the residents of St. Lucie County."
St. Lucie County had been set to pay 53 percent of the construction cost, with the Mets picking up 35 percent and the state of Florida 12 percent.
First Data Field (formerly Tradition Field) has been the spring training home of the Mets since it opened in 1988.