Tampa Bay Rays future ballpark renderings. Construction will start this year. The park is scheduled to be ready opening day 2028 (Tampa Bay Rays renderings)

MLB Team for Sale

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Unfortunately, for those real Athletics fans who are here in the Bay Area, the team is not the A’s. Sorry to give you the bad news. The Tampa Bay Rays are now officially for sale, after Major League Baseball put a lot of pressure on their owner.

Patrick Pulaski, a developer from Jacksonville who signed a letter of intent to purchase the Rays (according to Sportico) and the New York Times for around $1,7 billion Unlike the ATH, who have no choice but to play at the Minor League Sutter Health Park at West Sacramento, for at least 2027, maybe more, the Tampa Bay Rays, who are playing at Hal Streinbrener Stadium in Tampa, with only 10,000 capacity, the Spring Training Home of the New York Yankees, the Rays are expected to move to their regular home, Tropicana Field next season.

The Tampa City Council approved $22.5 million for a Teflon-coated fiberglass roof. Hurricane Milton in 2024 caused the damage. The Tampa Bay Rays are typically at the bottom of MLB teams in payroll and attendance, alongside the Miami Marlins and the Athletics; however, the Rays operate a much better front office than most of these ‘bottom dweller’ teams (including the A’s), despite having a very similar payroll.

Example. Currently, this season, the Rays’ payroll is $88 million. Yet, they are in second place behind the New York Yankees ($289 million payroll) by a couple of games in the mighty American League East, while the Athletics are in last place with a payroll of $77 million.

Over the past five seasons, the Rays have consistently finished with a competitive and sometimes winning record, despite having a smaller payroll, unlike the Athletics, who have not achieved such a feat recently. The Tampa Bay Rays have a reputation for excellent scouting, player development, drafting players, and starting pitching, which has kept them very competitive in comparison to the other two lowest teams in payroll and attendance, the Miami Marlins and the ATH of Sacramento.

Moneyball, a few years ago, did not win any Oscars, but was a decent film. However, the concept of Moneyball is no longer working for the A’s, as the data-driven approach to evaluating players that emphasizes using statistical analysis and other methods that made Bill Beane famous is no longer practical. Beane was the Oakland A’s General Manager from 1979 to 2015—Adiós to Moneyball. All success in business comes from the top.”

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com