SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first day of full-squad workouts means a team meeting with the front office.
For the Arizona Diamondbacks, the message is a little different than in past years.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Los Diamondbacks de Arizona brindaron una actualización sobre el futuro del Chase Field
"Last year, I think we were hopeful of playing October baseball," D-backs owner Ken Kendrick said. "This year, I think we expect to play October baseball, and if we don't, we'll be disappointed."
Kendrick has kept his promise to spend more on the team's 2024 payroll coming off a run to the World Series, trading for power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suarez, and signing pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez and outfielder Joc Pederson via free agency.
Arizona will have its highest-ever payroll this season with an estimated $131 million going toward players who can help the Diamondbacks return to the Fall Classic.
"A better club on paper than we were when the season ended," Kendrick said. "We had four of five things we wanted to achieve, and I think in fairness to (General Manager) Mike (Hazen), he got all the things done that we hoped to do."
Defending the NL pennant comes with the same challenges, notably keeping up with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona won't be able to regarding payroll, but can certainly contest them in the NL West.
"In the end, we prevailed over the 900-pound gorilla in our division," Kendrick said. "Now, they're the billion-dollar gorilla."
Ballpark renovation update
The Diamondbacks play in the fourth-oldest ballpark in the National League. As of right now, there are no finalized plans to upgrade Chase Field.
"We thought we'd be in a position now where we could announce what's happening," D-Backs President & CEO Derrick Hall said. "I think we sat here last year and said, 'We gotta know in the next couple months.' Nothing has really changed, although the talks continue."
The team still wants to stay downtown and are willing to help pay the estimated $500 million renovation price tag.
"There are other opportunities available. There are other cities that would covet having Major League Baseball," Kendrick said. "We may run out of time in Phoenix but we hope that won't happen."
Is that a threat to move the team, though?
"I don't think that — the world we live in — threats are the right way to do business," Kendrick said. "We're community people. Our franchise is a part of the fabric of Arizona. We call it Chase Field 'Reimagined.' That is our hope at the moment."
Chase Field 'Reimagined' will include new ways to generate revenue — like a stadium district outside, and upgraded seating areas inside.
Time is ticking for the Diamondbacks organization, whose lease runs out after the 2027 season.
"We don't have a deal that the county, the city or the state could be participants in their own way," Kendrick said. "We don't have a deal that works for any of them or us, and until we do, we're going to continue to talk and hopefully until we do."
Television broadcast rights
Despite no current stadium deal or television deal, Major League Baseball will continue to broadcast Diamondbacks games for the 2024 season.
You'll get to watch a team with World Series expectations.
"(Manager) Torey (Lovullo) is not using the word 'expectation', he's talking about a standard," Hall said. "I think they understand that. They bought it and they believe it. It is a nice feeling that we're going in as one of the favorites."
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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