Going to Cuba for a planned March 22 exhibition will "provide the Rays with a remarkable opportunity," but can also be a "major hassle in terms of disruption to schedule and routine less than two weeks before the start of the regular season," according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The trip "will surely cause some personal inconveniences," with a few players "already voicing their preference to not go." MLB is "doing what it can to make it worth the Rays' while by paying each player who goes a stipend, said to be $10,000 a man." The MLBPA is "working diligently on the details, seeking to reduce the potential issues and concerns by dealing with issues such as field and stadium conditions, safety and transportation." MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said the goal is making the trip "as comfortable and as less invasive as possible" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/28).
RICK ROLE: In Tampa, Charlie Frago noted former St. Petersburg City Development Administrator Rick Mussett, who retired in '14, will "be the point person in the city's 'Baseball Forever' campaign to persuade its major-league team to remain on the western side of Tampa Bay." The city has "budgeted $50,000 for Mussett, as a part-time hire, to coordinate the effort, which will revolve around a master plan vision for a new stadium on the Tropicana Field site, surrounded by retail, nightlife, office buildings and housing on the 85-acre site." City officials have said that the plan "will be ready by the end of September" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/28).
SIGNS OF LIFE: GAMMONS DAILY's Peter Gammons notes the Rays drew a "record attendance of nearly 17,000" for their annual Rays Fest at Tropicana Field on Saturday, "more than what they averaged during the 2015 season." With many people wearing Rays jerseys at the event, there is a "sense that Chris Archer and Kevin Kiermaier have sparked bonds with fans that exceed any Rays before them" (GAMMONSDAILY.com, 2/29).
