FORT MYERS, Fla. - Tomorrow (Friday September 26, 2008), formal negotiations begin between Sarasota County and City and the Boston Red Sox. WINK News wanted to know if these negotiations are a done deal or if Lee County still has a shot.

In the game to keep the Red Sox Spring Training, Lee County has millions at stake.

"In the case of the Boston Red Sox, they are an economic engine. They bring in some $40 million dollars to our Lee County community," Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah told WINK News.

Judah is confident Red Sox Chief Operating Officer Mike Dee is hearing Lee County's pitch. "He has been very forth coming in letting me know and letting lee county know that this is not a done deal," said Judah.

CALL FOR ACTION requested Sarasota County and city emails and uncovered no home runs. Sarasota wanted the Red Sox to sign an exclusivity contract last spring. The Red Sox said no.

On August 15th Sarasota tried again with a memo saying: "As stewards of County and City tax dollars, we are mindful that continuing to deploy resources on this project without some sincere expression of your intent to work with us exclusively for some period of time. Having a clear understanding of your commitment to our community will allow us to hold additional discussions with our respective Governing Boards and make decisions with an eye toward the needs of this project"

A Sarasota County Commissioner told WINK News the Sox still haven't signed.

After Sarasota hired Barrett Sports Group to negotiate, Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub and Deputy County Administrator David Bullock exchanged these emails:

Staub: "Now with formal negotiators I am very uncomfortable. I don't know the firms cited and what they will do. My vibes are not good on this process but then that is only my intuition."

Bullock wrote back "My gut tells me these will be intense negotiations with a very sophisticated party (Red Sox)."

That's where Judah thinks his team with all its experience can score. "We have the where with all financially and also the locations. The sites, that the proposals offer more than just the stadium and practice fields and when it comes down to it the business decision I believe the Red Sox will choose Lee County," said Judah.

WINK News spoke with Sarasota commissioner Joe Barbetta over the phone who confirmed negotiations do begin tomorrow between Sarasota and the Red Sox. However, just the Barrett Sports Group, the group they hired to negotiate on behalf of Sarasota will meet with the Red Sox. County Commissioners will not attend.