Tampa Bay Rays Ongoing Thread

[BigDDude]

Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Rays' ongoing dispute with city officials about relocation is "very troubling," and that the league plans to intervene on behalf of the team, reports Eric Fisher of [ame="https://twitter.com/EricFisherSBJ/statuses/368043951657209856"]SportsBusiness[/ame] [ame="https://twitter.com/EricFisherSBJ/statuses/368034871132057600"]Journal[/ame].

It is unclear how exactly MLB is planning to help Rays owner Stuart Sternburg in his negotiations with St. Petersburg officials -- Selig declined to say if relocation was on the table -- but pressure from the league should at least help the team get beyond its current impasse.

At present, the Rays are tied into an air-tight lease that dictates they must play at Tropicana Field through the 2027 season, which is still in the very, very distant future.
Sternburg has attempted to negotiate an agreement with St. Petersburg mayor Bill Foster that would allow the team to explore other stadium sites in the area, but nothing that will allow them to move before completing their lease at the Trop. Foster has also held the threat of litigation over Sternburg's head if he should try moving the team out of the St. Petersburg area, reports the Tampa Tribune.


Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports speculates that the league could help the Rays buy out their lease, which would at least open the possibility of moving sometime this decade. Tampa Bay's per-game attendance this year -- 17,791 as of July 25 -- is the second-worst mark in Major League Baseball, per the Tribune.

 

[Brahmsian]

Clay Buchholz won't be very sharp tonight because this will be his 1st MLB start after a major injury.
But when healthy he is very much a match for David Price. So don't jump to conclusions if your Rays
beat my Red Sox tonight. This will be your best opportunity this series, whatever you may believe.

GO RED SOX!

 

[Brahmsian]

My Red Sox pretty much had this game won when your Rays failed to score on
Craig Breslow. Breslow is probably our weakest pitcher.

If you couldn't score on him it would have been INCREDIBLE if you had scored on Uehara.
Uehara's performance tonight was very typical of him.

 

[Brahmsian]

Take your choice, Tampa:

Adios,
Arrividercia,
Auf Wiedersehn,
Au Revoir,
Dospedanye,
Sayonara!

 

[GenJac]

It's going to be a long season for the Rays. They should at least fire Shelton and get a new hitting coach to shake things up!

 

[HammerDown]

 

[Blitzville]

Tampa Bay needs at least one good hitter. After tonight's game, they also need new infielders and outfielders.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[brandonk989]

A lot of people assuming the Rays will be basement dwellers again this year. I'm not so sure about that. A lot of things do have to go right for this team to contend but contrary to a lot of opinions, I like the moves that were made this offseason.

The rotation is still strong:

1. Chris Archer
2. Jake Odorizzi
3. Alex Cobb
4. Blake Snell
5. Matt Andreise (Only until De Leon is ready)

The line-up isn't terrible even with the trade of Logan Forsyth. Kevin Kiermaier is a spark at the top of the lineup. He must be healthy. Only played 105 games last year. That being said he nearly doubled his walk total form the year before in 45 less games. Evan Longoria is coming off his best year as a pro. Wilson Ramos should be back by late May and if his bat is even close to what it's been it is a major improvement over what the Rays have ever had at catcher. Brad Miller also hit 30 homers last year.

The big thing for me is the defense. Matt Duffy at SS is a HUGE defensive upgrade. Nothing falls in center with Kiermaier out there. Colby Rasmus in left is a major upgrade over Desmond Jennings.

I do not think this team makes the playoffs. But I do think they are much better than people are giving them credit for.

 

[brandonk989]

Rays have agreed to terms with Tommy Hunter on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Love the added depth to the bullpen. Team has also reportedly offered Matt Wieters a contract as well this morning.

Lastly, Marc Topkin from the Tampa Bay Times is reporting the Rays have interest in Brian Wilson.

The front office is trying if nothing else...

 

[brandonk989]

Best start in franchise history. Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[Rayz-a-Ruckus]

Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Rays' ongoing dispute with city officials about relocation is "very troubling," and that the league plans to intervene on behalf of the team, reports Eric Fisher of [ame="[MEDIA=twitter]368043951657209856[/MEDIA]"]SportsBusiness[/ame] [ame="[MEDIA=twitter]368034871132057600[/MEDIA]"]Journal[/ame].

It is unclear how exactly MLB is planning to help Rays owner Stuart Sternburg in his negotiations with St. Petersburg officials -- Selig declined to say if relocation was on the table -- but pressure from the league should at least help the team get beyond its current impasse.

At present, the Rays are tied into an air-tight lease that dictates they must play at Tropicana Field through the 2027 season, which is still in the very, very distant future.
Sternburg has attempted to negotiate an agreement with St. Petersburg mayor Bill Foster that would allow the team to explore other stadium sites in the area, but nothing that will allow them to move before completing their lease at the Trop. Foster has also held the threat of litigation over Sternburg's head if he should try moving the team out of the St. Petersburg area, reports the Tampa Tribune.


Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports speculates that the league could help the Rays buy out their lease, which would at least open the possibility of moving sometime this decade. Tampa Bay's per-game attendance this year -- 17,791 as of July 25 -- is the second-worst mark in Major League Baseball, per the Tribune.

 

[Rayz-a-Ruckus]

I'm a new member, a stranger in Sports SportsHoopla land, left homeless when CBS closed it's doors to forums last month. There's 4-5 more of us out there, floating around on other life rafts. Hopefully I can get them to join up. We Rays fans like to share our misery.

 

[brandonk989]

I know this is probably a long shot, but any chance there's enough Rays guys around here to get this board going again?

Huge series this weekend with the Yanks.