MODESTO, Calif. — Baseball fans in Modesto are breathing a sigh of relief as the Modesto Nuts, a minor league affiliate of the MLB's Seattle Mariners, announced they'll be staying in town for another year, but the future remains uncertain.
"We've had this agreement with the Mariners and worked really hard together to have this be a positive activity," said Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen.
That work broke down in July when city officials said the Nuts left the table on negotiations to extend their contract.
"When I first heard that this was, you know, potentially going to end, it's heartbreaking," Zwahlen said.
Zwahlen's heartbreak soon turned into hope when the Nuts came back.
"I'm here to acknowledge and thank the City Council for your leadership, dedication, and support of the Modesto Nuts," said a jubilant Modesto Nuts General Manager Veronica Hernandez during a Tuesday night city council meeting. "I'm grateful to you and all of your efforts."
The efforts by city staffers led to a proposal for a one-year contract extension which city councilmembers unanimously passed moments after Hernandez spoke.
The Nuts will have to pay the city $600,000 in rent. $75,000 of the rent, the Nuts get to hold on to for capital improvements.
"We're just really grateful that we're able to see that through for another year," Zwahlen said. "There's always contracts involved and discussions and negotiations that have to take place."
The negotiations to keep the Nuts long-term are expected to see a small boost baked into the one-year agreement: a section forbidding the Nuts from negotiating with any other city or entity in Stanislaus County. If no long-term agreement is reached by April 1, 2025, the Nuts would have to leave John Thurmond Field by Oct. 1, 2025.
City officials were reluctant to talk about the ongoing negotiations Wednesday, but with optimism now on both sides, fans are hoping that talks to keep the Nuts will reach home plate soon.
"We'll see what next year brings," Zwahlen said. "We look forward to the future with the Nuts."
Watch more from ABC10: Modesto Nuts no longer playing at John Thurman Field after 2024
