Another step closer to Arizona

John Allen, who is representing the Reds in the quest for a new spring home, met with Goodyear City Council Thursday.

"It went very, very well," Allen said. "It was the first time I got to tell city council what we're about. They met in closed session and afterward. They told the staff to continue the discussions. It wasn't a landmark meeting. But we're moving forward."

Allen reiterated that if the financing can be secured the Reds will move to Goodyear.

"That is correct," Allen said. "(CEO) Bob Castellini has signed off on that."

The cost of the Reds' portion of the facility in Goodyear would about $30 million. Financing for the stadium, which the Reds would share with the Cleveland Indians, is already secure. The facilities would include six practice fields, a half field and 38,000 feet of office space and clubhouse space.

Allen is making no predictions aobut whether the deal will get done.

"It's still going forward," he said. "But, after what we've been through the last six years in Sarasota, I'm not going to handicap anything."