Another chapter in the Tampa Bay Rays stadium turmoil has been addressed. This is only the start for the stadium issues. So far, the responses have been positive ones in the hope of keeping the Rays within the Tampa area.The Commissioner, Rob Manfred, met with the Rays and reporters to address the stadium issues. This meeting was more with the Rays in the hope of finding a Florida home for the team. Since the fall, when the Pinellas county commissioners rejected the vote to let the Rays explore stadium options, these meetings have occurred. The St.Petersburg mayor has continued to meet with the Rays in hopes resolving this issue. This is an issue Rob Manfred would like to be solved during his time.
"From our perspective it is very difficult to get a new stadium done without cooperation, help, assistance from local government," Manfred said. "We're hoping — we're hoping — that Stuart gets that kind of help so that they can get a facility that will keep the Rays and keep them competitive for the long term."
"You have to conclude that the stadium issue is the key issue because the Rays have put a great product on the field consistently for a really long period of time," Manfred said. "It's not a situation where you can blame a lack of support on the fact you don't have a good product. (Baseball operations president) Matt (Silverman), Stu, the whole Rays team has done a fantastic job in really difficult circumstances putting a competitive product on the field."
Manfred said "the good news" for Tampa Bay area fans is that Sternberg "remains committed to the idea that the Rays should be here," and that "that's a great undertaking, a great mindset."
The county could possibly hold a revote next week. Stu Steenberg and the Rays are hoping that the vote is approved and not rejected. Also, Sternberg is working with MLB in order to resolve this long issue.