(Worcester, MA) -- A city in central Massachusetts is reportedly preparing to make a pitch for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The General Assembly adjourned last week without taking action on a bill to help finance a new stadium in Pawtucket. As of July 1st, the team is now free to negotiate with other cities. The Worcester "Telegram & Gazette" reports there are already backchannel attempts by city officials to begin talks about relocating the team to Worcester.
The team released a statement saying "For more than a year, the Pawtucket Red Sox have worked cooperatively and exclusively with the City of Pawtucket and the State of Rhode Island to find a long-term solution to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket. The club promised such exclusivity through the state's regular legislative session ending in June. This understanding was clear and made public on numerous occasions. While the dialogue with Pawtucket and Rhode Island officials will continue through a fall session, if called, the club will now also respond to other cities who seek to present proposals for potential ballpark sites. Given the uncertainty we face upon the expiration of our lease, and the timetables involved with these sorts of projects, we believe it is prudent and fair to follow this course of action."