Signs are continuing to point to a deal for a new ballpark for the Marlins finally materializing sometime in the coming weeks. Of course, we’re talking about the Marlins here, so all bets are off. But consider:

Miami-Dade County, city of Miami, Major League Baseball and Marlins officials are all talking enthusiastically, even if somewhat cautiously, about a deal to finance a ballpark -- just north of the county government center -- coming soon.

During his state of the county address on Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez expressed his continued support for a new stadium as long a deal includes “a financial commitment from team owners.”

“It is not my goal to enrich the wealthy at the expense of our taxpayers – but I do believe there is justifiable cause for a government partnership in the management and construction of a baseball facility in our community,” Alvarez said. “If a deal is transparent, based on common sense, and fiscally sound, it’s a “win” for everyone.”

The Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday approved two similar bills that would provide the $60 million sales tax rebate that local leaders say is needed to complete a financing plan. The senators pushing the bills – Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R-Miami) and Rudy Garcia (R-Hialeah) – say they hope their bills will be combined during the Legislative session that starts March 6.

Gov. Charlie Crist, a former general counsel for Minor League Baseball, Senate President Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) and House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-West Miami) have expressed support for helping the Marlins.

It is, however, a tight budget year and a broader bill that would help all nine of Florida's professional sports franchises receive a $60 million sales tax break is also under consideration. That bill would allow all eight teams that qualify for the tax break now, including the Marlins, to get a second tax break. The Dolphins would also be eligible for a first-time break. Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga was denied a chance to get the break to renovate Dolphin Stadium because he’d already received $60 million to alter the stadium for baseball when he owned the Marlins. But the tax break stays with the building and does not move with the team.

That bill could help resolve concerns that the Marlins would be “double-dipping” if they got a second tax break, but the potential loss of sales tax revenue to the state would be $540 million, if all teams were to take advantage of it.

Meanwhile, Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones might be celebrating a Florida Marlins move to downtown Miami prematurely. A press release from her office says she and the Liberty City Revitalization Trust were to join Miami Marlins Mascot Billy the Marlin for an FCAT pep rally at Lenora B. Smith Elementary School this afternoon.