For nearly 20 years, Rays fans have been clinging to hope—hope that a modern ballpark would finally become reality. But with every failed plan, patience has worn thin. Now, with owner Stu Sternberg pulling the plug on the latest stadium project, the frustration has reached a breaking point. The chants for new ownership echo the cries from Yankees and Athletics fans earlier this year. Yet, behind the scenes, insiders see things differently, pointing to the A’s as an example of why changing owners might not be the fix fans are hoping for. Are the Rays really in the same boat, or is there more to the story?
For the unversed, Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field’s roof, forcing the Rays to play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field this season. Just when it appeared that the team was finally making headway toward constructing a new stadium, Sternberg shelved the plans earlier this month. The result? A fan displayed a banner during the opening game, urging Sternberg to sell the team!
“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” Sternberg said in a statement.
The issue starts here. According to MLB insider Evan Drellich, Rays owner Stu Sternberg is under pressure from several other owners and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to sell the team. The MLB still considers Florida a good market. Hence, Sternberg desperately wants to have a new stadium for the Rays. Manfred’s push for Sternberg to either resolve the stadium issue or sell the team appears to be strategic. Why? Because the arrangement could be revived under new ownership.
MLB insider Patrick Creighton sees this as discrimination.
He cited the example of Athletics under John Fisher, which is facing the same challenges with their new planned stadium, but the MLB is not pushing him to sell the entity, even when the fans want it. “I don’t see Manfred and MLB stomping on the grounds to protect him like they did noted cheapskate and tank artist John Fisher of As.” The Athletics’ planned move to Las Vegas is controversial enough. Additionally, MLB waived the customary $300 million relocation fee, further fueling the backlash. Meanwhile, the Athletics have yet to secure investors for their $1.8 billion stadium.
The #Rays have been over .500 12 of the last 17 years despite being a poor and playing in a stadium fans can’t get to.
It’s not Sternberg’s fault a hurricane damaged their stadium and it’s going to take a year or longer to fix
I don’t see Manfred and @mlb stomping on he… https://t.co/GKe1Vtgds9
— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) March 28, 2025
That’s why, according to Creighton, this is blatant discrimination against the Rays’ owner. The Rays are performing better than the Athletics. They are also one of the better-contending teams from the lower tier; it doesn’t make any sense to mess up the former’s game plan. They started the regular season strong and are expected to make a deep run—if ownership is allowed to focus on baseball.
The Rays are set to go big this year
The Rays won their opening game of the 2025 season on Friday. With the score tied at two in the bottom of the ninth, they walked off the Rockies 3-2 with a deep right-field home run. While this win was dramatic, to say the least, the Rays’ on-field performance is nothing short of it. “The Rays have been over .500 12 of the last 17 years despite being poor and playing in a stadium fans can’t get to,” Creighton added. The Rays hold a 2,091-2,179 record and have made the playoffs four straight years since 2021, all with a payroll under $90 million!
This year, the Rays got a few names worthy of making the team in the playoffs again. One of the few is Taylor Walls, a shortstop who has a below-par hitting record (.188 BA in 1,080 career at-bats), but his excellent glove can make a difference this year. Despite finishing 28th in innings played, he was ranked 2nd in runs saved at shortstop last season. Moreover, the Rays got Ha-Seong Kim, their only guaranteed contract this year. No matter where the Rays put him, Ha-Seong Kim is a valuable defender. He would fit right in at second base because he saved 10 runs there in 2023. Coming back from his labrum injury, the Rays are going to get him for the full season.
The Rays have the talent to make another playoff run, despite working within a $90 million payroll. However, their success hinges on whether ownership can navigate the mounting external pressure.
Do you think the Rays are being treated unfairly?
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