The basic framework has the Rays playing about 35 games in Tampa, then moving north by early JuneGETTY IMAGES
The Rays received MLB approval to explore splitting their home games between Tampa-St. Pete and Montreal, but it will "take months ... before they know if the payoff of such a radical move will make it worth proceeding as they report back next spring" to the league, according to Marc Topkin of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. There are aspects of the plan that are known, illustrative of how the Rays "will be creative in their thinking, understanding of the opposition and willing to negotiate to address the largest issues." Those include "wrangling permission from St. Petersburg to play games elsewhere" before the '27 end of their agreement at Tropicana Field and procuring "public and private financing and support to build" new ballparks in both markets. Additionally, the Rays will need to assuage "major concerns from the players union and agents about the two-city concept." Though no details of the overall plan are set, the "basic framework is for the Rays to spend the first 2½ months or so of the season, playing about 35 of their 81 home games, in Tampa Bay, then move north by early June to finish the schedule in Montreal." However, MLB agent Scott Boras said he does not think "any player would view moving midseason as workable." Meanwhile, Topkin noted the "initial thought is to keep the Rays name, branding and uniforms but use different hats and/or patches to acknowledge which market they were repping" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/23).
SENDING A MESSAGE? In Tampa, John Romano wrote this process has "gone from collaborative to combative just that quickly." The Rays "wield the ultimate hammer," as Principal Owner Stu Sternberg can move the franchise "wherever he likes" come '28. But the agreement at Tropicana Field is a "nasty little document that could keep the Rays handcuffed to an empty bleacher seat for another eight-plus years." However, the Montreal gambit "carries an unmistakable message," as it "tells local leaders that Sternberg is willing to go to war and he is not above moving the team out of Tampa" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/23). Rays manager Kevin Cash said he believes the message being sent with the Montreal plan is that "baseball is going to go where it's embraced and if Montreal is it, so be it." Cash: "You hear the passion from the fans there, that when the Expos played there, you recognize that they're in the mix now, there's been a lot of talks. I think baseball wants to go where baseball's wanted" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/22). In Tampa, Graham Brink wrote the two cities are "only flirting, but it would be an odd marriage." The Rays' Montreal plan was "met with almost universal derision" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/22). Also in Tampa, Martin Fennelly wrote the fact that the Rays are entertaining this plan means they are "gone, and all of this is just a preamble, one the rest of us could do without." Fennelly: "Just let them leave" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/22).
PIE IN THE SKY: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay thanked baseball for "serving up the wackiest idea in sports." Gay: "How is this supposed to work? Who knows!" (WSJ.com, 6/21). In Boston, Peter Abraham wrote the Montreal plan is "interesting, if not very practical." This move is "more likely a lever to force politicians in the Tampa Bay area to come up with a viable ballpark plan or let the Rays go elsewhere." It is "hard to blame MLB for trying something creative, even if it might not work" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/23). In Chicago, Paul Sullivan writes the "obstacles facing the plan are numerous." Sullivan: "Most of the baseball executives and on-field personnel I've spoken with believe it's simply a way for the Rays to relocate to another city and still be able to say with a straight face: 'Hey, Tampa Bay, we tried'" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/24). In N.Y., Bill Madden wrote the Montreal plan is "one of the craziest, most cockamamie ideas" anybody has ever heard of. It is amazing that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred "would even put something like this out there when he knows full well there is zero chance of such a scheme ever happening." Madden: "Who thought this up? A grade schooler?" Manfred "should be embarrassed" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/23). In Boston, Sean McAdam wrote whoever "came up with this latest solution isn't exactly a latter-day King Solomon." The half-and-half proposal "does nothing to provide a permanent solution for the Rays' ballpark woes" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 6/22).
