Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg is "planning to 'absolutely' reduce the payroll" for '18 via the "usual retooling of the roster while eagerly awaiting the next step" in the search for a new ballpark, according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The Rays made midseason trades that "added about" $7M to the payroll and cost the team "several prospects." The payroll is currently about $80M, and when asked about reducing it, Sternberg said there is "no set number," but being "we're so far above what we've spent ever before and way outside of what we can spend and should spend, the first move is down." When asked how soon there could be an announcement of a ballpark site for the team, Sternberg said, "We're ready. Whenever Hillsborough or Tampa make their pitch, we're ready. We've worked with them a bunch, and we're waiting to hear the pitch. There's nothing more for me to do at this point." Asked about the team's MLB-worst average attendance of 15,561, he said, "Given the performance of the team, I would have anticipated it to be better. ... We've heard it before, and I've talked to the players, it clearly affects the performance on the field" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/29). On the status of a new TV contract for the team, Sternberg said, "We might end up starting a network at some point. When the time comes and we can negotiate a TV contract there will be a lot of parties to talk to. ... Unfortunately it's not the environment for that given what's gone on with cord-cutting and the value of cable, so I don't expect it or anticipate it to be nirvana" (TAMPABAY.com, 9/29).
