Why the Rays are stuck this offseason

I have a feeling this franchise will be relocating before any kind of a meaningful agreement on a new ballpark happens in this market.

It they shave off 22.5 million and add 50 million for just 17 players that an increase of payroll of 27.5 million and are still short 8 players to fill the roster. Bad front office management of adding high price players and not receiving the benefits in return.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:46 AM ET  10.15 by /

Would they be better off playing in Dunedin?

I think the Jays have territorial rights there...ha, ha!

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:46 AM ET  10.15 by /

Would they be better off playing in Dunedin?

Tampa Bay: A waste of really good baseball.

Great discussion over a couple of beers: How good a team would the Rays managment put on the field in a market that supported a larger salary base?
They've done a hell of a job with no fan support and an uncompetitive salary budget. Give them some money and a strong market and they would be ???????

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:44 AM ET  10.15 by /

I give the Rays' front office props for being really smart with their draft picks, but they're still driven to a great degree by talent they built up in the years they were truly awful and got early picks...it's different when the team is driven to be competitive year after year and doesn't get the prime picks.Guess the Bosox will have a chance to get a prime pick next draft DESPITE the fact they were trying to compete this season!!! At least until the Dodger dump...

Maybe the BoSox will try to emulate the Rays', find draft talent, keep payroll reasonable and find FAs who are productive if not big names (i.e. Cody Ross).
Don't know if the fan base would have the patience to let such an approach mature into a run for the pennant/WS?

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:04 AM ET  10.15 by SportsFun

Maybe the BoSox will try to emulate the Rays', find draft talent, keep payroll reasonable and find FAs who are productive if not big names (i.e. Cody Ross). Don't know if the fan base would have the patience to let such an approach mature into a run for the pennant/WS?

As long as the trajectory was upward, I think the fans would be fine with it. An extended bridge year. Tampa Bay was horrible for years, but their plan proved correct in the end. The Sox have more resources, so, the process should be quicker. Even the Yanks did best in the late 90's with a core of homegrown players.

rays are in better position than, the red sox and the jays, lets not forget BJ UPTON would be a free agent, carlos pena free agent as well,the rays do have enough starters to trade for a bat or two, the rays had have the right amount in young players and healthy pitchers either way the owner see them,,,

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:46 AM ET  10.15 by /

Would they be better off playing in Dunedin?

Knology Park is a very nice venue, right on the water.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:13 AM ET  10.15 by SportsFun

Great discussion over a couple of beers: How good a team would the Rays managment put on the field in a market that supported a larger salary base?They've done a hell of a job with no fan support and an uncompetitive salary budget. Give them some money and a strong market and they would be ???????

the cardinals? some other continually competitive franchise

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:53 AM ET  10.15 by h2opololpunk

Knology Park is a very nice venue, right on the water.

It's not on the water, and it's not nice.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 02:16 PM ET  10.15 by THE BISHOP!

It's not on the water, and it's not nice.

You clearly have no clue where I'm talking about and have never been there. It's one block from the Gulf of Mexico, and it's a very nice stadium. Try Googling it.

The problem with the location is simple but complex at the same time.

The stadium is a dome...in one of the nicest parts of the entire U.S. Not a retractable dome either...a big dark crappy dome.

And the dome is located in St. Petersburg, which is a lovely place...but not Tampa, where the team could thrive. The places are about a half hour apart, and are competitive.

St. Pete is a retirement place mostly, while Tampa is where the business is.

Honestly, if the team would just move the 25 miles or so to Tampa, it might be much more profitable than its current situation.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 02:20 PM ET  10.15 by h2opololpunk

You clearly have no clue where I'm talking about and have never been there. It's one block from the Gulf of Mexico, and it's a very nice stadium. Try Googling it.

No need to Google it. I only live 25 miles from it. I stand by my statement.

wiseup: time for the Rays to make some tough decisions. Keep your core. Keep Longoria, maybe Zobrist , Price and Shields. rest of team could be available for trades to fill holes or reload minors. Next spring or even in winter league play minor league players to see what you have.

wiseup: What about the Rays moving to Jacksonville?about the same distance between miami and Atlanta. Rays would only be moving from west coast of Florida diectly across to east coast. Could Jax. jaguars share their stadium with rays until rays could get a stadium built? I'm not familar with design of jaguars stadium if it could be designed for baseball.