Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are not available for interested buyers.

"The team is not for sale," Rays president Matt Silverman said Thursday during an appearance on 95.3 WDAE (h/t Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). 

Silverman's comments come after Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported on Sunday that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and other team owners are pressuring Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell the American League East club.

Drellich reported MLB wants the team to remain in Florida even if it is sold and is interested in the Ybor City neighborhood outside of Tampa if there is a move from St. Petersburg.

Orlando also remains a possibility. 

According to the report, the family of San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. is interested and has a more significant financial offer than one involving Joe Molloy, who was a minority owner of the New York Yankees from 1988 to 1998.

Still, Drellich's report also made it clear that "a sale is not close."

That is notable given Silverman's comments, as it seems like there isn't going to be an imminent change of ownership with the 2025 campaign looming. Tampa Bay starts the regular season on March 28 against the Colorado Rockies.

The Rays will also play the upcoming season at Steinbrenner Field, which is the Spring Training home of the division-rival New York Yankees. Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field and caused other damage in the fall.

Topkin and Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times reported in November that a damage assessment report sent to St. Petersburg City Council members estimated that it would cost approximately $55.7 million to repair the stadium in time for the 2026 campaign.

It is another variable hovering over the entire Rays organization alongside rumors of a future sale, but Silverman was adamant the team isn't available for purchase.

As the Tampa Bay Rays look to figure out a long-term solution to their ongoing stadium questions, they have given up on a proposed $1.3 billion project in the Historic Gas Plant District.

In a statement released on Thursday, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said the club has "concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment."

In gratitude for the continued support from our fans and community. pic.twitter.com/vVGHn6nrAA

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 13, 2025

Per Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays had a March 31 deadline to move forward with the deal to build a new stadium and develop the land around it.

The Rays announced in September 2023 an agreement with the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County to build a new stadium as part of a redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site.

There were still hurdles to clear after the agreement, including a public approval process with votes needed from the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission.

The Rays released renderings for the proposed ballpark last May.

The Rays announced they are stopping their plans to build a new ballpark in St. Petersburg pic.twitter.com/BbErOjeJeG

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 13, 2025

The situation became more complicated in October when Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Tampa Bay area, causing the translucent fiberglass roof at Tropicana Field to be ripped away.

Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024

There was also significant water damage inside the stadium that combined with the roof damage, the city has estimated will cost roughly $55.7 million to repair.

The St. Petersburg City Council initially approved more than $23 million in funding to assist with the repairs, but later reversed that decision.

"I can't say I'm confident about anything," Rays co-president Brian Auld told the city council about where things stand with the new stadium plan and future status of Tropicana Field.

Officials in Pinellas County did approve $335 million in bonds and realign funds to assist the Rays with the cost of the new stadium, bringing the total amount in funding to $600 million when adding in the city of St. Petersburg's contributions.

However, due to hurricane recovery efforts in the state, delaying the funding vote until December caused the Rays to raise questions about whether they would be able to complete construction on the new park in time for the originally planned 2028 opening.

Rays officials said the delay inadvertently pushed the opening to 2029. Under the terms of the original agreement, the team would be responsible for any costs overruns.

"As a result [of the later expected completion date], the cost of the project has increased significantly, and we cannot absorb this increase alone," Rays president Matt Silverman said at the time. "When the county and city wish to engage, we remain ready to solve this funding gap together."

Since the repairs needed for Tropicana Field will make the stadium unusable until 2026, the Rays will play home games this season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The field is the spring training home for the New York Yankees, as well as their Single-A affiliate in the minor leagues.

The Rays' stadium announcement comes days after a report from The Athletic's Evan Drellich that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and several other team owners are pressuring principal owner Stuart Sternberg to sell the franchise due to ongoing issues with securing a new stadium.

Sternberg originally purchased an ownership share of the Rays in May 2004. He has been a managing general partner since October 2005.

The Tampa Bay Rays reportedly have their next shortstop.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Wednesday that the American League East team agreed to a two-year, $29 million contract with Ha-Seong Kim. The deal includes an opt-out after the first year.

Passan noted Kim is recovering from shoulder surgery but is expected to return to the field in May.

The 29-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career on the San Diego Padres and brings a versatile skill set to Tampa Bay.

One of the first things that jumps out is his glove, as he has experience at shortstop, second base and third base and was effective at all three positions. He won a Gold Glove in 2023 and, according to FanGraphs, was responsible for 24 defensive runs saved above average at shortstop during his time in San Diego.

While he played shortstop exclusively in 2024, he was also responsible for 15 defensive runs saved above average at second base and nine defensive runs saved above average at third base during his time with the Padres as well.

Kim is also a formidable base runner and stole 22 bases last season after stealing 38 the previous year.

Even though his offense isn't quite at the level as his speed and fielding, he still hit double-digit home runs in each of the last three seasons. Kim appeared in 121 games in 2024 and slashed .233/.330/.370 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI.

Tampa Bay is looking to return to form after missing the playoffs in 2024 for the first time since the 2018 campaign.

Adding a versatile player who can impact the game a number of ways and anchor the middle of the defensive infield should help it do just that.

The Tampa Bay Rays are now hoping to get Tropicana Field repaired in time for the start of the 2026 MLB season after it suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Milton.

Per Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a Dec. 30 letter to St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes they "support and expect" the city to repair the stadium based on their current use agreement because of the logistical and revenue challenges that would come with playing only a partial season at the Trop.

"It is therefore critical that the rebuild start in earnest as soon as possible, that a realistic completion schedule be developed quickly and that the City diligently pursue the reconstruction as required by the Use Agreement," Silverman wrote in the letter.

The Rays and St. Petersburg city council have been at odds about using public funding to repair the stadium.

After initially voting on Nov. 21 to approve more than $23 million in funds for Tropicana Field, the city council reversed its decision that same day.

Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members the decision puts the future of Tropicana Field and their new stadium plans in doubt.

"I can't say I'm confident about anything," Auld said.

The Rays have plans for a new $1.3 billion stadium in the Gas Plant District they wanted to be ready by 2028, with the St. Petersburg city council and Pinellas county commission voting to approve a combined total of $600 million in funding, but the team has asked for further negotiations due to what they say are "substantially" increased construction costs due to delays by the county that will make it unlikely to open before 2029.

Wright noted that Silverman's letter doesn't contain any mention of following through with their deal to build a new stadium, with a March 31 deadline to for the Rays and their development partner to meet "certain benchmarks" or the deal will automatically terminate.

If Tropicana Field is repaired, the Rays are obligated to play three more seasons at the stadium.

Hurricane Milton ripped off the roof and damaged parts of the interior at Tropicana Field when it made its way through Mexico and parts of the southeastern United States in early October.

Roof is gone at Tropicana Field #milton #rays

Video by: Nick Friedman@mysuncoast @WESH pic.twitter.com/VME6Um351J

— Nick Burch (@PageWebber) October 10, 2024

The Rays are going to play home games during the 2025 season at George Steinbrenner Field, where the New York Yankees hold spring training. It's also the home of the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees' A-ball affiliate.

The Pinellas County Commission voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve its $312.5 million share of bond financing for the Tampa Bay Rays' proposed $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Curt Anderson and Kate Payne in the Associated Press reported the news on the vote, which was a major hurdle toward the Rays getting the necessary financing to remain in the area and get the new stadium.

Per Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics, the St. Petersburg City Council previously approved $287.5 million for the stadium on Dec. 5.

According to Jason Clinkscales of Sportico, the Rays are on the hook for $700 million total and cost overruns.

The stadium is part of a bigger $6.5 billion project, as noted by the AP:

"The proposed stadium is a signature piece of a broader $6.5 billion revitalization project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was forced out by construction of the Trop and an interstate highway spur.

"Supporters say the development would transform an 86-acre tract in the city's downtown, with plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, entertainment venues, plus office and retail space -- and the promise of thousands of jobs."

In October, Hurricane Milton tore the roof off Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field home, which has since pushed the Rays into using the New York Yankees' spring training stadium, George M. Steinbrenner Field, for the 2025 season.

That in turn created a series of events that cast doubt on the Rays' future in the Tampa Bay area.

Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times provided more information:

"Pinellas County commissioners voted in July to approve $312.5 million in public financing for the stadium using tourist taxes to pay off the debt. The commission voted 6-1 in October to delay votes on issuing bonds due to uncertainty over where the Rays would play the 2025 season after Hurricane Milton tore off the roof at Tropicana Field.

"The commissioner who led the charge to delay, Chris Latvala, voted no on the deal back in July. He said the team would be taking tourist tax dollars that would pay for the new stadium out of the county and should instead look at playing at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater as their temporary home.

"That decision, made possible by commissioners who were in support of the deal in July when it passed with a 5-2, delayed the bond vote until after the November election. Then, stadium skeptics Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer were elected and replaced commissioners who were in support of the stadium deal. They could join Latvala and [Dave Eggers], the two no votes in July, to make up a new anti-stadium majority."

So there were delays and concerns regarding the matter, but this was obviously a big win for the Rays.

However, there's some issues ahead, as the team noted in a statement. In essence, the team is now looking for help in covering the cost overruns, also noting a delay that has slid the proposed opening of the stadium from 2028 to 2029.

"As we have made clear, the County's delay has caused the ballpark's completion to slide into 2029," Rays co-president Matt Silverman said, per Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports.

"As a result, the cost of the project has increased significantly, and we cannot absorb this increase alone. When the County and City wish to engage, we remain ready to solve this funding gap together."

Meanwhile, Pinellas county commissioner Chris Latvala made his opinion on the Rays' ownership bluntly clear, per Fisher.

"While I do not trust the owner of the Rays [Stu Sternberg], I trust Mr. Manfred," Latvala said. "He is the reason I am voting yes. MLB is aware of the several instances where the Rays organization has intentionally tried to sabotage the very deal they agreed to. As a result of this vote, it is my hope that the Tampa Bay Rays will finally have an owner that our other wonderful local franchises have.

"I hope our vote today helps set the wheels in motion for a new owner and a new era of Tampa Bay Rays baseball," Latvala also stated.

So while the Tuesday vote signifies some light at the end of the tunnel, it appears the Rays still have some traveling ahead to actually get there.

A pair of schedule changes made by MLB on Monday will result in a unique start to the 2025 season for the Tampa Bay Rays.

According to the Associated Press, MLB switched a pair of series involving the Rays to the first two months of the season in hopes of avoiding summer weather problems at their temporary home of Steinbrenner Field, so 47 of the team's first 59 games will be played at home.

The Rays had their series against the Los Angeles Angels moved from April 7-9 in Anaheim to Tampa on April 8-10. A series against the Minnesota Twins scheduled for May 26-28 was moved from Target Field to Tampa on the same dates.

MLB announces 2 date switches to the Rays' schedule, out of concern for rain issues now that they'll play outdoors in Tampa

Their series in Anaheim, 4/7-9, is now in Tampa on 4/8-10.

A May series in Minnesota was moved to Tampa on 5/26-28.

The Angels & Twins will host the Rays… pic.twitter.com/j5lPS4nC2H

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 25, 2024

After starting the season with most of their games at home, the Rays will be on the road for 69 out of their last 103 games. They play just eight home games in both July and August.

The move to Steinbrenner Field, which is usually home to the Class A Tampa Tarpons, was necessitated by the devastating damage to Tropicana Field following Hurricane Milton last month. The stadium's roof was destroyed, and the Associated Press noted that it's believed the Rays won't be able to return until 2026 at the earliest, if at all.

The Rays are coming off an 80-82 finish to the 2024 season, which ended their streak of five straight playoff appearances. The franchise has been planning to open a new stadium in 2028 at a site adjacent to Tropicana Field, but the team said last week those plans will likely be delayed due to a combination of severe hurricane damage and political delays on financing.

After initially voting Thursday to give the Tampa Bay Rays more than $23 million to repair roof damage to Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton in October, the St. Petersburg City Council has reversed course, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

The St. Petersburg City Council initially voted 4-3 to provide funding to fix the roof at Tropicana Field in time for the 2026 MLB season, but has ultimately decided against approving the repairs.

Before Thursday's vote, the Pinellas County Commission agreed to delay a vote on revenue bonds necessary to finance a new $1.3 billion stadium for the Rays until December. The Associated Press noted that the project "is in serious jeopardy according to Rays executives."

"I can't say I'm confident about anything," Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members.

On Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton tore through Tampa Bay, taking the roof of Tropicana Field on its way.

The Tropicana Field roof has come off during Hurricane Milton

The ballpark was being used as shelter for first responders pic.twitter.com/tBcrESzYdu

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 10, 2024

Along with damage to the roof, there was significant water damage and repairs are estimated to be around $55.7 million. If Tropicana Field is eventually repaired, the Rays are under contract to remain there for three more seasons.

Because of the damage, the Rays will play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' spring training facility. Steinbrenner Field is just across the Old Tampa Bay from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

We are thrilled to play in Tampa Bay. 🩵

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) November 14, 2024

Steinbrenner Field is significantly smaller than Tropicana Field. It holds just 11,000 fans compared to 42,735 fans at the Trop.

While the Rays will have to settle for a smaller venue, they'll at least get to stay in Tampa Bay in front of a home crowd.

"We're committed to the fans in Tampa Bay," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said at an owners meeting. "Given all that's happened in that market, we're focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay right now."

The Tampa Bay Rays informed the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners that the team cannot move forward at the moment with the current deal for a new stadium, which previously looked on track for a 2028 season opening, due to the group's decision to delay votes on the project.

The entire letter, which was signed by team co-presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman, can be found via Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Times.

The duo said the organization was "saddened and stunned by this unfortunate turn of events" before explaining the team's murky stadium future.

"As we have informed the county administrator and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, the county's failure to finalize the bonds last month ended the ability for a 2028 delivery of a ballpark," the letter stated in part.

"As we have made clear at every step of this process, a 2029 ballpark delivery would result in significantly higher costs that we are not able to absorb alone."

However, the Rays made clear that they "stand ready to work on a new solution with any and all willing partners to preserve the future of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay for generations to come."

Wright provided the details on the delay, which stemmed from Hurricane Milton tearing the roof off the team's Tropicana Field home in October.

At the time of the vote, it was unknown where the Rays would play the 2025 season (it's since been confirmed that they'll play the New York Yankees up to $15 million to play in their spring training home, George M. Steinbrenner Field).

Per Wright:

"Pinellas County commissioners voted in July to approve $312.5 million in public financing for the stadium using tourist taxes to pay off the debt. The commission voted 6-1 in October to delay votes on issuing bonds due to uncertainty over where the Rays would play the 2025 season after Hurricane Milton tore off the roof at Tropicana Field.

"The commissioner who led the charge to delay, Chris Latvala, voted no on the deal back in July. He said the team would be taking tourist tax dollars that would pay for the new stadium out of the county and should instead look at playing at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater as their temporary home.

"That decision, made possible by commissioners who were in support of the deal in July when it passed with a 5-2, delayed the bond vote until after the November election. Then, stadium skeptics Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer were elected and replaced commissioners who were in support of the stadium deal. They could join Latvala and [Dave Eggers], the two no votes in July, to make up a new anti-stadium majority."

The Rays stated in the letter that they have already put in over $50 million into the project. Per Jack Evans of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays were expected to contribute $700 million total plus cost overruns.

The St. Petersburg City Council ($287.5 million) and Pinellas County Commission ($312.5 million) were on tap for the rest, although the vote delay for the bonds for both now put a huge wrinkle into the plans.

The new anti-stadium majority could be the biggest issue, though. Nowicki in particular is already on the record stating the money could be better served improving county beaches.

"Why would we commit $300 million plus another $300 million in financing cost over 20-30 years without even knowing the state of our beaches, which is a proven fact, the largest economic driver for the county," Nowicki said, per Melissa Marino of WFLA-TV.

The stadium was set to be the hub of a "mixed-use development" in downtown St. Petersburg. The building would have started in 2025, per Evans.

St. Petersburg City Council has voted to approve the Rays' new $1.3 billion ballpark.

• Capacity: 30,000
• Fixed pavilion roof
• "Baseball's most intimate setting" with 70% of seats in the lower 2-3 levelshttps://t.co/bqQ3mYQ0Pk pic.twitter.com/kYfFE1WAnQ

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 18, 2024

But now everything appears up in the air after 2025.

"We know we're going to be in Steinbrenner in 2025 and we don't know much beyond that," Auld said in an interview, per Curt Anderson of the Associated Press.

And so, the Rays' future is flux after it appeared they'd be staying in town long-term.

The Tampa Bay Rays will play the 2025 season at the New York Yankees' spring training home, Steinbrenner Field, the team announced Thursday.

We are thrilled to play in Tampa Bay. 🩵

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) November 14, 2024

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported the decision.

According to Curt Anderson of the Associated Press, the Yankees are expected to receive approximately $15 million in revenue for allowing the Rays to play at the stadium.

The Rays have been seeking a temporary home after the devastation of Hurricane Milton, which ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field. The Trop reportedly requires repairs that will cost an estimated $55.7 million and should be completed in time ahead of the 2026 season.

The future of Tropicana Field is in question, however, given that the Rays are building a new $1.3 billion ballpark that is scheduled to be open in time for the 2028 season. A $55.7 million bill for only two seasons of baseball might ultimately be more costly than the city of St. Petersburg is willing to oblige.

That would create different questions, however, like where the Rays would play for two seasons. Steinbrenner Field is a solid option in a pinch ahead of the 2025 campaign, but it only houses a little over 11,000 fans. That's far less palpable from a ticket sales perspective over a three-year period.

For now, it appears as though repairing Tropicana Field is the preferred option.

"My initial reaction is that [repair estimates] did fall on the lower-cost side, and the fact that our folks think it could be done quickly is really a best-case scenario for us," St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told the Topkin and Colleen Wright this week. "It's an obligation of the city under the existing agreement [to provide a facility]. And to me it certainly would answer the question of where the Rays would play in 2026-28, if we have to extend that. I think it's best for all if the Rays are back home for the remainder of the existing agreement."

Welch also noted in a public statement that the hope is that the majority of costs to Tropicana Field will be covered by "insurance and FEMA reimbursements."

Rays' team president Matt Silverman said that the organization will "continue to have discussions with the city about how to move forward."

Regardless of future plans, however, the Rays now definitively have a home for the 2025 season.