Richmond Braves may relocate
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Gwinnett County commissioners will meet Tuesday to vote on a stadium proposal. If the commissioners approve the construction of a new stadium, the Braves will be able to make their next step toward moving the Triple-A affiliate out of Richmond, Va.
Gwinnett County is located approximately 20 minutes north of Turner Field. The thriving suburban area already is home to an Arena Football League team and a hockey team that plays in the East Coast Hockey League.
While the Braves have a long history with Richmond that dates back to 1966, they too have had many recent problems with the city's reluctance to provide upgrades to the stadium, known as The Diamond.
When the Braves signed a three-year agreement in August to continue playing in Richmond, they worded the contract in a manner that allowed them to continue seeking other locations to place their Triple-A team. There are opt-out options after both the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Thus there is a chance the Braves Triple-A affiliate could begin playing in Gwinnett County as early as the 2009 season. The Braves have to notify Richmond before Oct. 1 if they are planning to utilize either of their opt-out clauses.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com.