Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday he continues to hope for “real progress” in the Rays’ stadium efforts through the end of the year.
Manfred said the discussions between the team and Tampa Bay area officials have become more concrete, noting that they involve officials on both sides of the Bay.
Asked for an update on the Rays’ situation during a meeting with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in Seattle ahead of the All-Star Game, Manfred said:
“It’s complicated. What I would say about the Rays is that they continue to work with government agencies across the Bay Area. I think the talks across the region have moved into a more concrete zone in terms of ongoing talks. I said I was confident there would be real progress there in 2023 and I remain confident.”
The Rays are in formal discussions with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials to finalize agreements for a new stadium on the Tropicana Field site and a major redevelopment of the entire area known as the Historic Gas Plant District.
They have also stated that they remain in touch with Tampa and Hillsborough County officials. District Commissioner Ken Hagan said last week that officials there are “dangerously close” to making a presentation and beginning negotiations.
Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said on opening day he expects a deal somewhere in the Tampa Bay area by the end of the year. “That is my belief. “That’s a very reasonable expectation,” he said on March 30. “And if we don’t do that, then there’s basically no deal.”
For the last two months there have been stories of groups looking to buy the Rays based on information from anonymous sources. In response, Sternberg said in a statement, “My expectation is that we will build a ballpark in Tampa Bay that will keep the Rays here for generations to come.” I also intend to remain the owner of the Rays.”
Aranda chose Durham
Outfielder Josh Lowe was removed from the family’s emergency medical list again on Tuesday after missing Saturday and Sunday’s games for unknown reasons. Infielder Jonathan Aranda, who was called up by Triple A and played 1 of 8, was sent back to Durham. The Rays resume play Friday in Kansas City.
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