MLB Commish - Rob Manfred pressures Stu Sternberg to sell the Rays...finally! (1 Viewer)

[rockaction]

Has anybody read about the deal the Rays are backing out of? I mean, have you really read what the Historic Gas Plant Development entails? Have you studied the fine print on it?

I'm not sure concerns about which side of the Bay, or the amount of public funding, or any of that are the real crux of the matter between the team and the city that caused the deal to "come apart," as it were.

I'm usually not that interested in stuff like this, but my nephew is a huge Rays fan and my mother and father and he will take flights out to see them in the playoffs or fly to Boston to see them play the Red Sox (I've gone on one of those trips), so I'm naturally inclined to pay attention to what the Rays are doing. Normally they're just cheap as hell. This time they're a little . . . well I'll let you read about it.

 

[Grahamburn]

They’re going to have to give tickets away to get people to go to these games at Steinbrenner Field June-September.

 

[Capella]

Rays pitched a plan to renovate Trop to stay in St. Pete through 2038

The team says it was one of many possibilities, although the city and county did not immediately embrace the idea.

www.tampabay.com

Proposed renovating the Trop. Lol. They are BROKE.

 

[rustycolts]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

 

[UncleZen]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

I would love for them to be in Orlando. I would actually attend quite a few more games as that would be just a little over an hour away. Right now, it's over a 3 hour drive for me to go see them. I'm not sure Orlando would draw better than Tampa though. Maybe?

 

[rustycolts]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

I would love for them to be in Orlando. I would actually attend quite a few more games as that would be just a little over an hour away. Right now, it's over a 3 hour drive for me to go see them. I'm not sure Orlando would draw better than Tampa though. Maybe?

Same here. It would only be an hour away from me with all the new toll roads. I've been to many OCSC matches in the summer so that wouldn't bother me. I've been here all my life so the heat doesn't bother me.

Thing is Orlando has been notorious for supporting their shiny new toy for a few years and then it falls drastically.

 

[Eephus]

Rays pitched a plan to renovate Trop to stay in St. Pete through 2038

The team says it was one of many possibilities, although the city and county did not immediately embrace the idea.

www.tampabay.com

Proposed renovating the Trop. Lol. They are BROKE.

Are they even going to sell out Steinbrenner Field?

 

[gump]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

I would love for them to be in Orlando. I would actually attend quite a few more games as that would be just a little over an hour away. Right now, it's over a 3 hour drive for me to go see them. I'm not sure Orlando would draw better than Tampa though. Maybe?

Downtown Tampa is the best case draw IMO…also most opinions in Baseball… Orlando better than St Pete though.

 

[Capella]

Rays pitched a plan to renovate Trop to stay in St. Pete through 2038

The team says it was one of many possibilities, although the city and county did not immediately embrace the idea.

www.tampabay.com

Proposed renovating the Trop. Lol. They are BROKE.

Are they even going to sell out Steinbrenner Field?

I don’t know if they’ve released ticket sale figures but what I’ve read is it’s gone extremely well.

Hard to believe the summer will go well though.

 

[Eephus]

Rays pitched a plan to renovate Trop to stay in St. Pete through 2038

The team says it was one of many possibilities, although the city and county did not immediately embrace the idea.

www.tampabay.com

Proposed renovating the Trop. Lol. They are BROKE.

Are they even going to sell out Steinbrenner Field?

I don’t know if they’ve released ticket sale figures but what I’ve read is it’s gone extremely well.

Hard to believe the summer will go well though.

what's the O/U on rain delays?

 

[Capella]

Rays pitched a plan to renovate Trop to stay in St. Pete through 2038

The team says it was one of many possibilities, although the city and county did not immediately embrace the idea.

www.tampabay.com

Proposed renovating the Trop. Lol. They are BROKE.

Are they even going to sell out Steinbrenner Field?

I don’t know if they’ve released ticket sale figures but what I’ve read is it’s gone extremely well.

Hard to believe the summer will go well though.

what's the O/U on rain delays?

81

 

[Grahamburn]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

I would love for them to be in Orlando. I would actually attend quite a few more games as that would be just a little over an hour away. Right now, it's over a 3 hour drive for me to go see them. I'm not sure Orlando would draw better than Tampa though. Maybe?

Driving through Orlando is worse than driving through Tampa.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

They’re going to have to give tickets away to get people to go to these games at Steinbrenner Field June-September.

It's a level of heat and humidity that is hard to describe for many.
For 4-6 weeks it can be brutal in cities like Chicago but they have a start and end to the season, not so much during summers in Florida

Tampa especially is mighty hot in the summer, I've lived both Miami//Tampa, I'll take the Miami summer w/Atantic Ocean breeze
93 w/97% humidity and thunderstorms almost every afternoon, I wonder how many rainouts and doubleheaders they will have to juggle

-Great starting pitchers if they don't have injuries, nothing on offense after the lead off hitter, I don't see them being any better than last season
The trading of Adames to make room for Franco and then watch that disaster unfold, as tragic as that roof falling in during the storm last year

 

[Grahamburn]

Rays pitched a plan to renovate Trop to stay in St. Pete through 2038

The team says it was one of many possibilities, although the city and county did not immediately embrace the idea.

www.tampabay.com

Proposed renovating the Trop. Lol. They are BROKE.

Are they even going to sell out Steinbrenner Field?

I'll go to several games. It will be significantly closer for me. Not quite the same experience though as my wife and I love downtown St. Pete so we typically roll a few games into a long weekend throughout the year. Mons Venus and 2001 don't have the same appeal for her though.

Don't know about sellouts? @Capella is spot on. Once June hits we get a thunderstorm damn near every single night.

I'll take my team to an afternoon weekend game as well for a social event. I've looked into the pricing and it's very reasonable.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Where the Rays sell a lot of tickets is when they play the flagship teams
Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, those kind of teams will create near capacity crowds
I will be watching the Rays when they visit down here in Miami/May, rare weekend series, most of the time the Rays come in on a Tue Night and just play 2 games

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The Savanah Bananas SOLD OUT Bucs Stadium across the street
65,000 people paid good money to go see what I am gathering is the equivalent of the Globetrotters
i know nothing about the Bananas

Meanwhile the 11,000 seat stadium that houses MLB across the street...

 

[Capella]

The Savanah Bananas SOLD OUT Bucs Stadium across the street
65,000 people paid good money to go see what I am gathering is the equivalent of the Globetrotters
i know nothing about the Bananas

Meanwhile the 11,000 seat stadium that houses MLB across the street...

I went. It sucked but my kid loved it.

Got opening day tickets for next week. Excited for that. Might be my only game there this year as I’m not doing outside summer ball but can’t wait to see how they do things there.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The Savanah Bananas SOLD OUT Bucs Stadium across the street
65,000 people paid good money to go see what I am gathering is the equivalent of the Globetrotters
i know nothing about the Bananas

Meanwhile the 11,000 seat stadium that houses MLB across the street...

I went. It sucked but my kid loved it.

Got opening day tickets for next week. Excited for that. Might be my only game there this year as I’m not doing outside summer ball but can’t wait to see how they do things there.

My son and I won't be able to do opening day this year but we've been to several over the last 6-7 years, creates great memories

 

[rustycolts]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

I would love for them to be in Orlando. I would actually attend quite a few more games as that would be just a little over an hour away. Right now, it's over a 3 hour drive for me to go see them. I'm not sure Orlando would draw better than Tampa though. Maybe?

Driving through Orlando is worse than driving through Tampa.

Without a doubt. I grew up there and lived there until 2000. My main commandment was thou shall not drive on I-4. What would have been a 20 minute drive to a random location in 1972 is now probably a 2 hr drive .

 

[UncleZen]

Looks like Orlando is trying to become a player in this.

Orlando emerges as a potential destination for the Rays

Orlando has an ownership group, and a $1 billion private financing commitment for the stadium.

www.draysbay.com

I would love for them to be in Orlando. I would actually attend quite a few more games as that would be just a little over an hour away. Right now, it's over a 3 hour drive for me to go see them. I'm not sure Orlando would draw better than Tampa though. Maybe?

Driving through Orlando is worse than driving through Tampa.

From the space coast, I have to drive through both now.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I'm sad to say that it sounds like the last game has already been played inside of Tropicana Field
That's sad that the owner didn't spring into action and get things moving quickly to fix the roof, something could have been done to bridge things until the new one is built
But instead Stu decides to play the victim instead of spotlighting the true victims, citizens of Pinellas&Hillsborough amongst other counties that were hit hard, people lost everything

You also have to point some fingers at Manfred, do you not?
The minor league stadium in Tampa cannot be a long term solution, and it should be 86'd in 2026, they cannot allow Stu to continue on as owner if that's the plan
What is the plan for Tropicana? Just blow it up and start some new high rise condos?

St Pete is beautiful, the downtown delightful and the Rays should be kept there.
Tropicana Field has a few issues but it's air conditioned and you can do a lot both before and after Rays games
Shame the local officials and the bumblebutt owner can't strike a deal where everyone wins

 

[Ministry of Pain]

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred pushes Rays owner Stu Sternberg to reveal plans for team's future

The Rays will play their 2025 home games at a spring training park and their longterm future in Tampa is uncertain

www.cbssports.com

I'll believe it when I see it

 

[Capella]

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred pushes Rays owner Stu Sternberg to reveal plans for team's future

The Rays will play their 2025 home games at a spring training park and their longterm future in Tampa is uncertain

www.cbssports.com

I'll believe it when I see it

They’re not leaving the area. It’s too big and it’s growing. And the area already offered this idiot over a billion dollars. Baseball leaders don’t like when their owners turn down free money and good deals.


I’ll be at the Stein today for the first outdoors Rays home game. Kind of excited!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Highlights for me....

-2 weeks ago and even prior if anyone was paying attention, Sternberg backs out of a $1.3Billion park close to where the Trop is right now
Why did the forward progress of 2027 suddenly get derailed? Why has that project not started to the point you can't realistically see them in a new ball park in '27

-Why is it taking so long for the Trop to even start to be fixed back up? I would have more respect if they moved forward with '27 and just admitted they plan on playing in the Single-A park in Tampa for '25 and '26, just demolish the Trop if that's your plan but Sternberg wants to have it his way

He wants to just keep playing in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field until the end of time if they'll let him.
It's so sad to see what is unfolding, 28-29 owners need to make an immediate vote on ousting Sternberg, whatever it takes.

I am also for relocating the Rays to another city/State and taking an expansion team from MLB to replace them.
I love St Pete and would prefer they had just moved forward on 2027 plans but if MLB actually did what i am suggesting, I would expect the expansion club to be in Tampa not St Pete

 

[Eephus]

I'm watching the game from Steinbrenner and am enjoying the ambiance from the other end of the continent. I've listened to both teams' broadcast and you can clearly hear the game and crowd noises without the blaring PA music and audience prompts that you hear at other ballparks (Dodger Stadium is the worst example). We'll see how things hold up through the season but today It sounds like a proper ballpark.

 

[rockaction]

I'm watching the game from Steinbrenner and am enjoying the ambiance from the other end of the continent. I've listened to both teams' broadcast and you can clearly hear the game and crowd noises without the blaring PA music and audience prompts that you hear at other ballparks (Dodger Stadium is the worst example). We'll see how things hold up through the season but today It sounds like a proper ballpark.

Baseball exec says “Must. Add. Blaring. Techno.”

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Walk off Home Run! for @Capella and Crew at the game today including his son I believe
Hope he got to stick around for the fireworks late

 

[Capella]

I'm watching the game from Steinbrenner and am enjoying the ambiance from the other end of the continent. I've listened to both teams' broadcast and you can clearly hear the game and crowd noises without the blaring PA music and audience prompts that you hear at other ballparks (Dodger Stadium is the worst example). We'll see how things hold up through the season but today It sounds like a proper ballpark.

Fantastic experience. Absolutely loved it. We already got tickets to go back Sunday.

 

[Capella]

Walk off Home Run! for @Capella and Crew at the game today including his son I believe
Hope he got to stick around for the fireworks late

Yea we stayed for it all. Fantastic experience. A+, loved it.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Walk off Home Run! for @Capella and Crew at the game today including his son I believe
Hope he got to stick around for the fireworks late

Yea we stayed for it all. Fantastic experience. A+, loved it.

That's a memory you'll have forever, opening day no less.
Good for you, go to as many as you can enjoy, it looked like fun on TV
I would be buying cheap seats and either before or after, La Teresita for a hot pressed cuban. Ybor to roll into if you want to go that route
It has it's perks being in Tampa

 

[Capella]

Walk off Home Run! for @Capella and Crew at the game today including his son I believe
Hope he got to stick around for the fireworks late

Yea we stayed for it all. Fantastic experience. A+, loved it.

That's a memory you'll have forever, opening day no less.
Good for you, go to as many as you can enjoy, it looked like fun on TV
I would be buying cheap seats and either before or after, La Teresita for a hot pressed cuban. Ybor to roll into if you want to go that route
It has it's perks being in Tampa

We always hit la Teresita when we are down there. It’s a must.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Stardate: May 30th, '25
29-27
1 game out of the Wildcard
Won 8 out of their last 9 games
Starting Pitchers all have ERAs over 4 outside of Rasmussen
Still missing big pieces from Tommy Gone surgeries

This is why Stu never changes, he gets results without spending any money
Rays also are just as likely to sell off several pieces or parts of their starting line up.
We hear the cheapest ticket going at the minor league ballpark is somewhere in the $100 range, that seems unbelievable but people are eating it up on the Tampa side
Meanwhile the Trop isn't a single day into renovation, don't see how they are going to be ready for '26 and that would again push back the requirement of years by the Rays
In 2027 they were going to be free of their lease and free to relocate, that's already falling more toward '29/'30
They can't just flip St Pete the bird and the city is starting to take aim at another soccer franchise that Stu owns and operates, the city wants to demolish that field and change the area.

This should end well

 

[Gally]

Stardate: May 30th, '25
29-27
1 game out of the Wildcard
Won 8 out of their last 9 games
Starting Pitchers all have ERAs over 4 outside of Rasmussen
Still missing big pieces from Tommy Gone surgeries

This is why Stu never changes, he gets results without spending any money
Rays also are just as likely to sell off several pieces or parts of their starting line up.
We hear the cheapest ticket going at the minor league ballpark is somewhere in the $100 range, that seems unbelievable but people are eating it up on the Tampa side
Meanwhile the Trop isn't a single day into renovation, don't see how they are going to be ready for '26 and that would again push back the requirement of years by the Rays
In 2027 they were going to be free of their lease and free to relocate, that's already falling more toward '29/'30
They can't just flip St Pete the bird and the city is starting to take aim at another soccer franchise that Stu owns and operates, the city wants to demolish that field and change the area.

This should end well

Now they send down Simpson who gets on base and gets in scoring position while not striking out. Sure he doesn't hit HR's but he is electric and a spark every time he comes up. Dumb. Just Dumb.

 

[Eephus]

Now they send down Simpson who gets on base and gets in scoring position while not striking out. Sure he doesn't hit HR's but he is electric and a spark every time he comes up. Dumb. Just Dumb.

The organization has developed enough talent over the years to get the benefit of the doubt when they send down a talented but clearly unfinished prospect. MLB is not a fantasy league where SBs are a category.

 

[Gally]

Now they send down Simpson who gets on base and gets in scoring position while not striking out. Sure he doesn't hit HR's but he is electric and a spark every time he comes up. Dumb. Just Dumb.

The organization has developed enough talent over the years to get the benefit of the doubt when they send down a talented but clearly unfinished prospect. MLB is not a fantasy league where SBs are a category.

I know but just watching him play he brings an excitement and spark that isn't there much. He goes 100% all the time. He wasn't overmatched at the plate and the only thing he doesn't do is hit for power but a single is essentially a double or triple for him. He just looks different then everyone else.

HIs defense can improve and maybe that is what they are doing with Mangum back. Giving him some time down in AAA to get better there. But it seems he played his way into the lineup in my eyes. It just surprised me they sent him down.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Now they send down Simpson who gets on base and gets in scoring position while not striking out. Sure he doesn't hit HR's but he is electric and a spark every time he comes up. Dumb. Just Dumb.

The organization has developed enough talent over the years to get the benefit of the doubt when they send down a talented but clearly unfinished prospect. MLB is not a fantasy league where SBs are a category.

Simpson was batting .324 over the last 2 weeks while the Rays have been winning games, I agree that he brings something to the table others don't.
12 stolen bases over the last couple weeks
I'm sure we will see him again this season

 

[Capella]

Simpson is -0.1 war right now. Not saying that’s the end all be all but he’s a negative on defense and obviously lacks power. Obviously very fun player. He’ll be back.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Tampa Bay Rays confirm they are in talks to be sold

Earlier this year, when the plan for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in St. Petersburg fell apart, talks of owner Stu Sternberg selling the team started to grow.

www.abcactionnews.com

 

[Ministry of Pain]

MoP Side note: Manfred came into the beer shop I was running last summer in Jupiter, he has a home on Jupiter Island and I recognized him immediately. He doesn't like to talk to MLB fans, especially from someone who looks like Zach Galifinakis these days, he was not real happy when i started asking him what his plans were with the Rays and Stu, this was prior to the hurricane, i simply asked him to do the right thing and keep a close eye on Stu because of the fallout with the officials in St Pete..he mumbled and grumbled and grabbed his 1/6 keg of Mich Ultra and went on his way

I had nothing to do with any of this but I find that interaction pretty funny in hindsight

 

[gump]

The Tampa Bay Rays are in advanced talks to be sold to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski, with the deal valuing the team at approximately $1.7 billion. Zalupski has signed a letter of intent, though the sale is not yet final. The potential sale comes amid pressure on current owner Stu Sternberg and follows years of stalled stadium plans, worsened by hurricane damage to Tropicana Field. If completed, this would be only the second MLB team sale since 2020, and the Rays would move from one of the league’s lowest payrolls under Sternberg to ownership by a well-funded homebuilding executive.

#iHeartRadio #RaysUp

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The Tampa Bay Rays are in advanced talks to be sold to a group led by Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski, with the deal valuing the team at approximately $1.7 billion. Zalupski has signed a letter of intent, though the sale is not yet final. The potential sale comes amid pressure on current owner Stu Sternberg and follows years of stalled stadium plans, worsened by hurricane damage to Tropicana Field. If completed, this would be only the second MLB team sale since 2020, and the Rays would move from one of the league’s lowest payrolls under Sternberg to ownership by a well-funded homebuilding executive.

#iHeartRadio #RaysUp

I'll tell you what puts butts in the seats for MLB in Tampa Bay for the most part and same with Miami, when other big franchises come to visit and their fan bases fill up half the stadium
As far as the locals go, you must make it easy to park or easy to get there without spending a lot of dough. It should not be that hard to figure this out

Ticket prices...when you are a low payroll team, seats behind home plate shouldn't cost $150+, good seats near the field along the 1st and 3rd base line should also not cost $100+
Keep the ticket prices reflective of what you are spending on payroll, it should be pretty cheap to see a Rays game
Beer prices, concessions, make it affordable and make it fun

"La Terisita" just let them run one of the Cuban food stands inside the stadium, I'd buy a ticket just to come eat and watch the Rays in the back drop
I would put a lot of thought into the food and vendors in ways that will attract fans and not have them so worried they're going to get fleeced all the time

Winning helps but they've won a lot over the last 6-7-8 years, WS appearance and yet that doesn't really pack them in.
Maybe a new home on the Tampa side will help but as someone who loves St Pete, I don't see those fans coming over to the Tampa side after they had easy access the last 25 years
It's almost like a new fan base over in Tampa

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The Marlins were sold in 2003 to Jeffrey Loria, I don't give him much credit for winning the WS however...
My son who is a St Pete resident brought up an interesting point
This Jacksonville group is ready to cut a check for $1.7 Billion, there is no way he is doing that if he's not pumping money into the team
I could see this sale happening very soon and possibly changing the Rays game plan at the trade deadline
Imagine you could buy an MLB team that has a great manager that makes miracles out of shoestring payroll budgets and suddenly raises the payroll

Could history repeat this year with a new owner that wants to make an immediate splash with a decent team and a strong front office?

 

[heckmanm]

Dear Mr. Manfred, please call Bob Castellini next. kthxbye

 

[Capella]

Winning helps but they've won a lot over the last 6-7-8 years, WS appearance and yet that doesn't really pack them in.
Maybe a new home on the Tampa side will help but as someone who loves St Pete, I don't see those fans coming over to the Tampa side after they had easy access the last 25 years
It's almost like a new fan base over in Tampa

Stadium needs to be in Tampa. Lightning have the longest sellout streak in the nhl by a sizable margin (it’s true look it up) so it’s proven that area can handle over 40 games a year of a successful franchise. Maybe the rays won’t sell our nightly but they could do 20k there.

 

[Capella]

Btw the Rays are kicking *** right now. Game and a half back of the Yankees.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Btw the Rays are kicking *** right now. Game and a half back of the Yankees.

I was trying to focus on the sale of the franchise but I wanted to spike it last night after they erased an 8 run outburst from the Os and then rip off 12 runs the rest of the game
Something is in the water right now, would lvoe to see the new owner take over before the trade deadline and open the checkbook up and ask the FO to go to work

Rays need at least 1 Starting Pitcher although they are one of the few teams to basically send 5 starters out there so far
Still, several of them have ERAs over 4.

Rays actually are doing alright hitting the ball but I wouldn't be above bringing in a couple key bats or players.