MLB fans speculate where Tampa Bay Rays could end up after renewed interest from potential buyers: "Let’s hope they move the team out of Florida"
The Tampa Bay Rays are making moves on the field, and off it as well. After the Oakland Athletics announced plans to purchase a large parcel in Las Vegas, the attention now shifts to the Rays.
There would be several investors interested in buying a professional baseball team. A key question for the Rays is whether the ownership/investors are keen to remain in the area, or potentially relocate.
Rays attracting potential buyers, sources tell @TheAthletic. Story with @Chandler_Rome: theathletic.com/4538457/2023/0…
Per a recent article in The Athletic by Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome, there is serious interest in the club. Whether the team stays in Florida is still to be determined. The article says that there are potential buyers interested in staying in the Tampa area and others interested in leaving.
MLB fans took to Twitter to speculate on where this franchise could potentially end up down the line.
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Montreal Rays?
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Let’s hope they move the team out of Florida.
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Move them to Orlando!
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome One team in Florida is one too many.
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Keep ‘em in the Tampa Bay Area
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Badly needed for them. There's great potential in the team!
@Ken_Rosenthal @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Move them to San Antonio.
@Ken_Rosenthal @jaysonst @TheAthletic @Chandler_Rome Yes. Someone buy them and move them to Portland, OR.
@Ken_Rosenthal @Chandler_Rome @TheAthletic Just move them to Nashville already
While a section of die-hard Florida fans are desperate for the team to stay put, there were some interesting suggestions.
Montreal could be an interesting potential destination. The club would become only the second team based outside the United States. The city is passionate about baseball but has not had a team since the Montreal Expos relocated to D.C. and became the Washington Nationals in 2004. Portland and Nashville were mentioned as other potential landing spots.
There are several groups interested in purchasing the Tampa Bay Rays
On the field, the Tampa Bay Rays are one of the most talented teams in baseball. Despite having the third-lowest payroll in MLB (per Spotrac), the club currently has the best record in the majors. A talented roster has propelled this team to a 34-13 record, 3.5 games ahead of the second-place Baltimore Orioles.
Off the field, there are issues. Tropicana Field needs a facelift. The stadium holds over 42,000 spectators (ranked 11th in MLB) but needs some serious improvements.
If the team does remain in the area, it will be interesting to see if they renovate the current stadium or build on a new parcel. The lease for the stadium runs through 2027.
There is at least one investor who is keen to keep the team in Tampa Bay. That will provide some hope to the fanbase. The club has established a strong connection with the local community since it was founded in 1998.