DODGERS REPORT

Will the Dodgers have a white elephant on their hands if they move their spring home to Arizona?

The city of Vero Beach and Indian River County have earmarked $12.5 million to buy Dodgertown and lease it back to the team, enabling the Dodgers to continue training in Florida without paying property taxes. However, those funds may evaporate if the Dodgers complete negotiations with the Fort McDowell Indian Community for a new training complex in Arizona.

“If we were to leave, it is my understanding they wouldn’t buy the land from us,” said Craig Callan, managing director of Dodgertown. “The only reason they would purchase the land was to keep the Dodgers in Vero Beach.”

If the city and county won’t buy the complex from the Dodgers, who would? While other teams might want to train there, none would consider buying the complex and inheriting the property tax burden.

The Dodgers believe the property is worth more than $12.5 million. The Dodgers also want renovations for which local funding is currently unavailable, although talks continue with Florida officials.

The 465-acre complex includes the largest parcel of undeveloped land in Vero Beach, Callan said. That raises the possibility of the Dodgers moving to Arizona and selling Dodgertown to private developers.

Vero Beach and Indian River County officials did not return calls seeking comment.