Spring update

I spoke John Allen today about the spring training situation. To clarify: He's no longer the Reds' COO, but he's working as a consultant as the the club tries to find a spring home. Thus he's the point man on the trip to Goodyear, Ariz., to check out the facilities there.

I think the club would rather stay in Florida. But I get the impression that no one is willing to build them a facility like the one in Goodyear.

Allen said the Reds have heard from places other than Orlando. "But I'm not at liberty to discuss," he said. My guess is one is Lee County (Fort Myers), where they'd like to add a third team.

As for Sarasota: "We've had some conversations," Allen said. "But they need to bring a deal to us."

This just in: The Sarasota city commission has put on its agenda for next week discussion of alternative funding plan to rebuild Ed Smith.

Reading some of the stuff in the Sarasota paper, it sound like there's some sentiment to give it a try.

"We're getting to time of the year when people make hotel reservations," Allen said. "I think they realize we're going to be missed."