The Angels’ possible move to Tustin has been nixed, talks with city of Anaheim are back on

With the Angels’ season dwindling into the MLB equivalent of an Emmett Kelly portrait, there are fewer and fewer things for us fans to excitedly discuss and toss around. Mike Trout, Andrelton Simmons and Jett Bandy can only take you so far in terms of positive Angels discourse, but today we get a little tidbit of news that could put a glimmer of light in the Halos’ 2016 baseball darkness: the stadium talks between the city and Arte have been renewed, and the feeling is they wont be leaving Anaheim.

The two sides were in a standoff over a lease extension and stadium improvements, and for a little bit, there were rumblings of them going elsewhere, like nearby Tustin. That specific idea has been nixed now, and while they still have some other options, they are going to try working it out. This all comes from an article from Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, in which he not only has the news that talks will between the Angels and the city will resume, but that their is a good feeling from some involved that the Angels will stay put after all.

“My guess is, they are going to stay in Anaheim,” said Dene Oliver, chief executive officer of San Diego-based Oliver McMillan.

“Right now, we are in discussions with Anaheim to see if we can find a way to continue to deliver a high-quality fan experience in a city-owned aging stadium,” Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey said.

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait said the City Council has not yet been briefed on the talks. He said he would like the city to strike a deal with the Angels.

“My preference is to find a win-win,” Tait said, “that’s a good deal for the people of Anaheim. There’s lots of room for that.”

The Angels have a lease through 2029, but could bail out of there via opt out before 2019. The clock’s ticking. In 2013, there was a deal in place to get $150 million in renovations done, in exchange for a $1 per year lease for the city on the surrounding parking lots, but then talks died down in 2014 while the team took a serious look into the Tustin option. Now that they have tossed that into the dustbin, they may get something done with Anaheim after all. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this in the next few months, now that the Angels/City of Anaheim wheels are finally moving again.