Headlines in the MLB are not only associated with wins and strikes but also with something that will change a team forever – the keyword, forever. The Tampa Bay Rays are looking into making a change, and this change also means goodbye. What happens behind the scenes we often do not know, and one day we just wake up to a story about a sudden change in a particular department in sport. The Rays are looking into walking away and into a new chapter. The reason? We are not yet sure because there are many reasons for a decision like this to happen.
The Rays saw it unnecessary to keep holding on to something that is not changing or growing
I can assure you that it was not an overnight thing. It was tough, though, because saying goodbye to a whole baseball team takes courage and a strong plan B. The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of those silent teams, mysterious and not so much in the spotlight. There was so much strength in players, but the financial part of it was just not working out; also, performance was bad, despite how good the team players were.
It has been an ongoing problem, one that I believe they tried to fix, but their making this decision means it is not working. It is getting louder; there is more attention focused on the Rays, and right now it is all out, a final stamp has been put up, and it is time to let go and see what happens next. Where are they going? What is happening? Are they changing their name or their team players?
Ownership of the Rays may change, and $1.7 billion is up for grabs
Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg has made up his mind that the Rays are for sale. The price on the table is $1.7 billion. There is a potential interest and buyer; his name is Patrick Zalupski, a home builder in Jacksonville. Documentation has been drafted and sent as a way to show interest in the team, and it looks like soon we will be seeing a new owner of the team. The initial buying price was $200 million in 2004 when the current owner bought it.
The Rays said,
“The Tampa Bay Rays announced that the team has recently commenced exclusive discussions with a group led by Patrick Zalupski, Bill Cosgrove, Ken Babby and prominent Tampa Bay investors concerning a possible sale of the team. Neither the Rays nor the group will have further comment during the discussions.”
The future of the Tampa Bay Rays
The deal is good, and it looks like there is an agreement between the two parties. However, rumours are saying that once everything is finalised, the Rays may move locations. It is not to say there has been a conversation about the move or relocation; however, whatever the plan might be, it will have a huge impact on the team. Was the team as bad as the Athletics? Regarded as the worst team to play for?
Not to hide from it, the sale might have an effect on the MLB in a way, even though the Rays were not a high-elite team, but it was, or still is, part of the MLB. If the $1.7 billion purchase succeeds, we never know; there could be some potential strategies that will change the team for the good and remove all the weeds that are currently there. Given Zalupski’s experience in development, some experts believe this is more than just a sports move; it may have something to do with stadium construction. We just hope opportunities such as those that the Baltimore Orioles have provided will come from there, too.
