PHOENIX — Mesa and the Chicago Cubs have been partners in spring training for decades.

But things could be changing.

The team has an opt-out provision that could allow the Cubs to leave HoHoKam Stadium before their contract is up.

Under the contract, the Cubs can leave Mesa as early as spring 2012 for as little as $4.2 million.

The clause was included when the team signed a contract in 1996 and could be exercised in 2011. The actual 20-year contract expires in 2016.

"This is similar to every team in the Cactus League," said Robert Brinton, league president and president of the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This is not a big deal. The feedback we have is they love it here."

The Chicago White Sox exercised a similar out clause this year, spending $3 million to move from Tucson Electric Park to Glendale's new stadium complex shared with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brinton said that was different because White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf never wanted to train in Tucson and always wanted out. Reinsdorf has a winter home in Paradise Valley.

Cities around the Phoenix area are spending millions on new ballparks or spending significantly to upgrade their facilities to keep Major League Baseball teams happy.

Hohokam Stadium manager Dave Dunne said Mesa is discussing what improvements to make to the stadium and Fitch Park, where the team practices, for when the contract expires. Those improvements would include additional permanent seating.

Although Mesa faces major budget problems, Hohokam is in line to receive about $9.2 million from the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority when the Cubs contract expires in 2016, Dunne said.

The city has no contingency plans if the Cubs exercise the opt out provision.