Rays’ Future in Flux After Hurricane Milton Damages Tropicana Field
The Tampa Bay Rays are facing an uncertain future after Hurricane Milton tore through Tropicana Field, leaving the stadium’s translucent fiberglass dome in shambles. With the 2025 season just around the corner, Major League Baseball is scrambling to find a temporary home for the team.
Temporary Solutions Being Explored
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed hope that the Rays can find a temporary home in the Tampa Bay area, with several spring training sites being considered. The Phillies, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates, and Tigers all have facilities in the region that could potentially host the Rays. Another option is the Rays’ own spring training complex in Port Charlotte, about 85 miles south of St. Petersburg.
Challenges Ahead
However, finding a suitable temporary home won’t be easy. Most of the spring training sites are already committed to hosting minor league teams, which could require significant adjustments to schedules. One possible solution is the Orioles’ spring training site in Sarasota, which doesn’t have a minor league team.
New Ballpark on the Horizon
The damage to Tropicana Field comes just months after the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County approved a new $1.3 billion ballpark in an adjacent location. The new stadium is set to open in 2028 and is part of a larger downtown revitalization project.
Assessing the Damage
The city has hired a firm to conduct a complete analysis of the damage to Tropicana Field, which is expected to take several weeks. Once the assessment is complete, the city will have a better idea of the path forward.
Manfred Confident of Solution
Despite the challenges ahead, Manfred is confident that a solution will be found. “The one thing I can tell you for sure, they’re playing next year. We’re going to find them someplace to do it,” he said on a recent podcast.
Options Being Considered
Other options being considered include sharing the Miami Marlins’ stadium, although this would require significant scheduling adjustments. There has also been talk of the Rays playing some home games in Montreal, but the stadium there is undergoing renovation and wouldn’t be ready for next season.
Playing Without a Roof Not an Option
Playing at Tropicana Field without a roof is not a viable option, as the stadium doesn’t have the necessary drainage systems to handle the rain-prone location.
Cost a Factor in Repair Decision
The cost of repairing Tropicana Field will also be a factor in the decision-making process, given that the stadium is set to be torn down in a few years to make way for the new ballpark.
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