Major League Baseball Reportedly Told The Brewers That They Have To Fix Up American Family Field And Suggested A Move May Be Possible If They Don't

(Source)- Major League Baseball has told the Milwaukee Brewers that they need to repair American Family Field to ensure it remains an MLB-caliber ballpark, "The Dan O'Donnell Show" has learned exclusively. While the league did not give the Brewers an explicit ultimatum, it was made clear that MLB will not allow American Family Field to "deteriorate" as Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (home of the Oakland A's) has. Last month, the A's announced a land purchase agreement that will move the team from Oakland to Las Vegas following the 2024 season.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be in Milwaukee for the Brewers' game against the San Francisco Giants Thursday as part of a tour of all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. A source familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity said Manfred will further outline the league's expectations when he meets with Brewers officials.

The Brewers said earlier this year that American Family Field needs an estimated $448 million in repairs. The ballpark, which opened, in 2001 as Miller Park, is owned by the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District, a local unit of government that owns and operates the stadium and leases it to the Brewers. The team's current lease expires in 2030 with five two-year options that could extend it until 2040.

Not great news if you're a fan of the Brewers. Where have we heard a franchise being told to shape up or they may ship out? Oakland...Tampa....and now Milwaukee. From the outside looking in, it looks like a fantastic ballpark. It's not old or rundown as a pretty good looking 22-year-old stadium. Still basically a baby in ballpark years. 

Now I now Manfred takes a lot of heat, most of it deserved. But I kind of like this move by the commish. Put the pressure on the owners to keep their shit nice and tight. You want to run a MLB club? Act like it. Rouhgly $440 million over the next 20 years shouldn't be too tough for an owner. 

Now Manfred didn't officially level a threat about a move....but it's like a dad telling the car "don't make me come back there." It's a nice little warning before really laying down the law. I don't see the Brewers moving, especially before a team like Tampa. But it's obvious that Manfred wants this franchise to start acting like they want to be a Major League Baseball team and improve their conditions around the ballpark. Concourses, seats, gathering areas, fix it all. Better get your stuff in order, Brewers. Don't want to fall into the pattern that the A's did and one day you wake up and find yourself in a new state with a new home as your old stadium gets the Taffer treatment.