NEW YORK — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred didn’t quite start the clock on resolution of the Rays’ ongoing pursuit of a new stadium in the Tampa Bay area before considering relocation options, but he appears to be at least checking the batteries.
“I think there is urgency with respect to Tampa Bay,” Manfred said Thursday at the conclusion of the quarterly owners meetings. “I’ve said this before and I’m going to say it again, there needs to be a resolution in the Tampa Bay region for the Rays. Obviously, the end of that lease (at Tropicana Field after the 2027 season) is a hard deadline. But you need to take into account that stadiums take a little bit of time to build, right?
“So we are getting to the point where, wherever it is in the region that has an interest in having 162 baseball games, they need to get to it. Get with the club. I know the Rays are anxious to get something done. And see if a deal can be made.”
