At 44-35, the Rays are firmly in the postseason mix. They’re one game back of the Yankees in the AL East and in possession of the American League’s top Wild Card spot. FanGraphs gives them more than a 70% chance of playing in October.
That’d present a challenge for MLB because of their stadium situation. The Rays are playing at an A-ball facility after last fall’s hurricane damage rendered Tropicana Field unplayable. Their interim home, George M. Steinbrenner Field, has a capacity a little above 11,000. The A’s are playing in a similarly small ballpark but have essentially no chance of making the playoffs this season, at least delaying their decision by a year. Every other MLB stadium has a capacity of at least 34,000.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Rays officials have had preliminary conversations with the league office about how they’d handle potential home playoff games. He writes that it’s possible the league will consider Steinbrenner Field satisfactory for potential Wild Card and Division Series but could push for a change in venue if the Rays advance as far as the AL Championship Series.
The concerns go beyond the optics of a small playoff crowd. The league could have difficulty accommodating the larger broadcasting and media contingents, as the field also has a very small press box. Rosenthal’s piece is worth a full read, as he goes into specifics about the logistical challenges that a smaller field present for the league’s broadcast partners.
The Players Association may also prefer a move to a stadium with more seating. Players’ postseason shares are a percentage of playoff gate receipts. Games at Steinbrenner Field will obviously have artificially low attendance numbers. It wouldn’t be a huge percentage of overall playoff gate revenue, but it would take on added importance if the Rays make a deep run. Playing the Rays’ scheduled home games at a neutral site would presumably generate more attendance, though it’d negate whatever on-field advantages they get from playing in front of their home crowd.
It may all end up being a moot point. The Rays could miss the playoffs. If they get in as the second or third Wild Card team, they’d play on the road for their entire three-game series in the first round (as all fifth and sixth seeds do). Nevertheless, the league will need to have a plan in place in advance of the beginning of the playoffs. That could also inform how they’d handle things if the A’s make the postseason before the scheduled opening of their Las Vegas stadium in 2028.
The Rays hope to return to Tropicana Field next season. Their lease at the Trop runs for three more years once it’s again playable. Owner Stuart Sternberg is reportedly in talks with a group led by a Jacksonville-based real estate developer about a sale of the franchise. That group is expected to seek a new stadium in the Tampa Bay region for the long term if the sale is finalized.
Would they be able to play in the Marlins stadium in case they reach deep into the playoffs? Pretty sure the Fish aren’t making it.
The (few) marlins fans in Miami wouldn’t want to see the crosstown rays play in their stadium so it would probably still be low attendance
But that is a better option than Steinbrenner field
Pretty sure some Rays fans would make the 4 hour trip to Miami.
They complain about crossing a bridge, they won’t drive 4 hours. The visiting team will have more fans.
Yes, but they don’t want to because of the disruptions to players’ routines and the lack of home field advantage (per Rosenthal).
Hypothetically speaking, the Marlins probably wouldn’t like it either since they wouldn’t want their stadium hosting playoff games of their closest geographical opponent, while their fans have to watch a 60-win team every year. Seems like a chance to convert some fans.
letsgooakland: I’m sure the players wouldn’t mind the disruption to their routine when they getting a percentage of just an 11,000 person gate.
True but remember it’s a 11k gate vs the 19k and 21k that they got for Wild Card vs Texas in 2023.
Considering prices are much higher at Steinbrenner I don’t think the early rounds are too much of a difference.
World Series and ALDS then yeah they would be giving up a lot of money.
I wonder if Raymond James Stadium could be an option? It is the same site and definitely big enough. They’d just have to work around the Bucs schedule. That would probably be the only option for playing in Tampa Bay (unless they play roofless at the Trop lol).
May I recommend an indoor baseball stadium?
In Florida.
It won’t be used after the regular season.
If they need to move they could likely just move to Miami. I think it makes the most sense considering it’s nearby, the Marlins are likely not making the postseason, and they are in opposite leagues (I wouldn’t like the idea of going to an AL Team’s stadium)>
It’s about 300 miles from Tampa Bay to Miami, so I wouldn’t say it is ‘nearby’. Highly unlikely most Rays season ticket holders would make the day trip to a Miami based playoff game unless they stay a couple of nights and watch multiple games, but it is definitely the closest MLB stadium to the Rays and probably does make the most sense for them logistically.
It’s nearby relative to the 27 other major league venues
For the PO, they could stop the game halfway through, the fans would leave, then another 11,000 could come in to watch the last half. That’ll get them closer to major league capacity.
@Dorothy
It’s the closest MLB-ready facility near Tampa. Perhaps a 40 min flight. They could try to share RayJay or hijack another stadium in the area but none are better options than Steinbrenner.
Atlanta is closer
Atlanta has a better chance to make the playoffs
What are you smoking? Tampa is almost twice as far from Atlanta as it is from Miami.
The Marlins definitely won’t be using their stadium in October so that should be first option. If not the Braves may not be playing in October either so there’s another possibility
Ouch c’mon. The A’s have a little bit of a chance…
There hasn’t been an article yet about yesterday’s passing of 15-year MLB player Diego Segui, father of former MLB player David Segui, so I don’t know where else to put this:
baseball-reference.com/players/s/seguida01.shtml
SEATTLE — Diego Segui, a pitcher who appeared in the first game in franchise history for the Seattle Pilots and was the starter for the Seattle Mariners in their first game, has died. He was 87.
The Mariners said Segui died Wednesday. No additional details were released.
Segui played for the Pilots in their first game on April 8, 1969, against the California Angels. He was the starter for the Mariners in their opener on April 6, 1977, in the Kingdome against the Angels.
“Our thoughts are with the Segui family, including David, Diego’s son, who the Mariners know well from his time with us in 1998 and 1999,” Mariners president of business operations Kevin Martinez said in a statement. “Diego was always generous with his time, visiting us in Seattle to help us celebrate milestones, including his last trip here for Hispanic Heritage Day in 2012.
“I also have fond memories of Diego’s grandson Cory throwing the final pitch in Kingdome history, a fitting finale for the Kingdome after Diego’s historic first pitch.”
Segui pitched in 15 major league seasons with the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, in addition to both Seattle franchises.
The 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander from Holguin, Cuba, led the American League in ERA in 1970, and he finished his career with a 92-111 record and a 3.81 ERA in 639 games.
After wrapping up his major league career, Segui pitched in the Mexican Professional League until 1984. He is a member of the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.
In 2024, he was honored by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with its Negro Leagues Beisbol Lifetime Achievement Award.
I saw that too. He was a good guy as well. Also, I shot the peeps here a message earlier when it happened. I am sure they know, but it does seem odd that nothing has been posted yet.
running – Thanks for the info. Yeah for whatever reason it seems like historically for certain players, they aren’t really interested in putting up an article for their passing … at least not right away. They may do it eventually, but they won’t rush. Hey it’s their site and their prerogative. Maybe they feel Americans/Canadians wouldn’t be that interested in a Cuban player’s passing? I don’t know, just speculating. If I recall correctly, there was a delay before Tiant’s article.
Fever: Just posted it. I think they have to get an official announcement before posting or anyone can say anyone is dead.
avenger – Thank you.
BTW – The official announcement was around 2PM EST.
Red Sox sent out this statement at 2:26 PM EST.
x.com/RedSox/status/1937940586088087789
Thanks for posting Fever. He will always be remembered here in Seattle for being the first.
mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/diego-segui-passes-away…
No MLB stadium close to Tampa. Miami is the closest at almost 300 miles, and Atlanta the next closest at over 400 miles. So not going to be a lot of locals going regardless. Miami makes the most sense given they are the closest, in state, and the Marlins won’t be making the playoffs. Also indoors so no weather issues. It would be a shame if the local fans can’t have local games but that is where we are right now. Is it better to have a normal sized stadium that might not be full of local fans, if full at all? Or a smaller stadium full of local fans?
If the Rays make it, Sternberg should pony up for coach buses and accomodations for season ticket holders who buy playoffs tickets. The increase of stadium capacity and gate receipts should more than offset his costs. MLB can help subsidize some of that as well. Give back to your loyal Rays fans for sticking with you at a Spring Training stadium. Sell cheaper tickets in Miami. 10k fans is no playoffs atmosphere and terrible national optics.
This team is more exciting than the last few years so I do think more fans would make the trip, especially on the weekends
After observing Manfred, he’d want the Rays to play the first 2 home games in London and any remaining home games in Tokyo.
Loan depot in Miami could be an option. It’s almost 300 miles and 4 hour drive from Tampa, but it might be the closest major league/playoff hosting capable facility that wouldn’t be in use.
I’m not sure how many Tampa fans would make that drive but I would certainly do it for my team if they were in the LCS or WS
If it’s the weekend they would def go (Florida is long so we’re used to big drives). This team also has more excitement to it compared to year’s past. Less auto strikeouts and more contact hitters.
Careful choosing to play in a larger stadium with sparse crowds just for capacity’s sake. Local fans won’t travel, and you risk trading a packed, energized Steinbrenner Field for a half-empty venue with no atmosphere. That in my opinion would be worse for baseball.
amj – I think one factor is who the NL team is.
For instance Cubs and Dodgers have huge followings, their fans who reside in Florida would definitely go and even those living in Chicago and elsewhere would gladly hop on a plane and see their team in Miami.
Attendance at World Series games shouldn’t be an issue. Fans will travel for those, as you say, and those games have good pull for neutral or casual fans.
ALCS and earlier rounds are where I think attendance could be a problem, especially for certain match-ups.
When is enough enough? Just relocate the Florida teams already.
What does that have to do with this? This is about the Rays playing in a smaller venue because Tropicana Field’s roof was damaged by a hurricane last year. You obviously didn’t even read what this is about and just spattered nonsense.
Who are you?
Someone that read the article. Unlike you.
@amjr
He’s just a troll, ignore him. Prob a Boston fan crying.
MLB’s income inequality is so stark that two of it’s teams are homeless.
The Rays don’t have a stadium due to a hurricane. Their situation is not like the A’s
I’d say it’s worse than the A’s since they actually know where they are playing after this year and the rays do not
Well for now. Still a lot of time for things to go wrong in Vegas. If/when Sternberg sells, a deal will get done quickly. Sternberg is the biggest obstacle and when he’s gone a stadium deal will likely proceed rather quickly and smoothly
Its, not it’s
They can use Truist. The Braves won’t need it.
Whatever happens, it’s all road games in the playoffs due to this sad situation.
They are all hypocrites. If steinbrenner field is good enough for 81 home games, it is good enough for a world series. Optics, money grab, hypocrites.
The lack of adequate media facilities is probably a bigger deal to MLB than the fan capacity. TV deals generate a lot more money than butts in seats.
Rosenthal’s article says that post-season TV production would be an issue, and that a small (29 seat) press box would mean a lot of media have to be seated elsewhere.
But a major issue is the number of WS tickets that MLB reserves for various parties other than the home team. Per Rosenthal:
“For World Series games, the league sets aside about 7,500 tickets for players, umpires, visiting teams, sponsors, broadcast partners, media and others, an MLB source said. The number of tickets the league requires for League Championship Series games is lower but still could be significant enough to make Steinbrenner Field impractical.”
The Genius Manfred sending the Rays playoff games to Cuba… I mean he already ruined baseball would can F it up more????
That’s actually not a bad idea. How about San Juan, Puerto Rico maybe? I’m serious. I’ll bet it would draw.
I would think a key function of the MLB owners/commissioner office is to make sure that teams have adequate places to play, and they have completely failed for two teams currently.. They should have plans for every team, in case something goes wrong, I’m not sure what the right answers should be, but something better than a class A stadium and then trying to figure out a playoff solution in June.
I was very much hoping the A’s or Rays make the playoffs to make Manfred squirm. I hope the Rays hold out and say they want to play where they are comfortable. I also hope they make it far in the playoffs. Manfred is way too focused on money, and it’d be hilarious to see him not be able to maximize profits for once.
Also, it’s not fair the Rays to have to play several hundreds of miles away from where they played all season.
Why would MLB care where the Rays play? They already don’t mind if Championship Series games are on TBS, TrueTV or Lifetime. MLB is clueless when it comes to promoting their product.
The Savannah Bananas were able to use Raymond James Stadium. I would just use that and make sure it doesn’t conflict with any Bucs games. MLB teams have used NFL stadiums before.
If that’s the case, what kept them from using Raymond James during the season?
I am only one person but I am a Rays fan and I would much rather drive to Braves stadium than the Marlins one. (though I’d rather drive to either of them than drive to the Trop).
For the LCS and WS, if applicable, they should just play them all in the largest neutral stadium available, It would be like COVID at PETCO all over again. Oh, and comp tickets to Rays season ticket holders.
Play in Miami.
The Rays have had a favorable home heavy schedule in order to avoid an abundance of rain delays and postponements. That is going to change the last half of the season and they will likely have a losing record the rest of the season.
If you can’t play in Miami, I don’t think the Braves or Red Sox will be making the playoffs so the Rays can play in one of those ballparks. And if that doesn’t work, MLB should force the Pirates to give the Rays their ballpark so we can show it off during the playoffs.