MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred believes that while the A’s must continue looking into moving out of Oakland and away from its decrepit ballpark, one of the Yankees’ AL East rival will likely stay in the Sunshine State.
“I see Tampa differently,” Manfred told Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on Russo’s SiriusXM show Friday night.
“I think a properly located facility in Tampa (and) that Tampa’s a viable major-league market. I’ve got a lot of faith in (owner) Stu Sternberg. I think they will find a place to get a ballpark built and I think baseball can thrive in Tampa.”
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The Rays play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. — a structure widely viewed as a joke when compared to other MLB stadiums for its overall ugliness, from its turf to the catwalks that hang over the field and to its lack of drawing power.
There have been talks over the years of the Rays potentially leaving Tampa for places like Nashville or Montreal. A plan for Tampa Bay to split its games between Montreal and St. Petersburg during the 2022 season was rejected by Major League Baseball.
But there has also been speculation that the team could find a home in Tampa proper, perhaps in the historic Ybor City district.
Meanwhile, the Oakland Coliseum has been an eyesore for a long time and the A’s have done little in terms of improvements.
“I do want to say this,” Manfred said. “I think the mayor in Oakland has made a huge effort to try to get it done in Oakland. It just doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen.”
Manfred added, “I think the A’s have proceeded prudently in terms of exploring the Las Vegas alternative, given the lack of pace in Oakland. I think they have to look for an alternative.”
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Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected].