Mozeliak reacts to delay in Memphis vote

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A day after the Memphis City Council delayed its vote on the Cardinals' proposal to purchase their Triple-A affiliate, Cards general manager John Mozeliak said he is "still optimistic we can find a way to get this done."

Council members will reconvene to discuss this issue next Tuesday during a meeting that Mozeliak plans to attend. They have now twice postponed their vote on an agreement that would allow the city to finalize its purchase of AutoZone Park and the Cardinals to assume ownership of the Redbirds franchise.

"Obviously, I thought last night was disappointing," Mozeliak said. "But I understand that the city has an obligation to do what they feel is right. I certainly respect what is happening from an administration standpoint and from a city council standpoint."

During Monday's lengthy debate on the topic, city council members brought up the possibility of perhaps asking for a change in the financial structure of the deal. As it is written now, the Cardinals would purchase the affiliate for $15 million and Memphis would pay $20 million to own the ballpark.

Mozeliak would not comment on whether the Cardinals would be willing to change any financial figures on their end.

As it stands now, the Cards' player development contract with the Redbirds is set to expire after the 2014 season. If this proposal passes, the Cardinals would be agreeing to another 17-year lease. Mozeliak said it is too early to know whether St. Louis would pull out of Memphis if the proposal fails. The Cardinals have made Memphis their Triple-A home since 1998.