The Rays "Exploring" Montreal is just the beginning of massive movement.

[SJ24]

We all know what this announcement today means. Cut the crap about two cities. The Rays will be renamed the "Expos" and be playing in Montreal full-time at a nice new stadium in 5 years.

The Athletics will either get funding for a new stadium in Oakland, or they'll "transition" to Portland or Vegas.

Then we'll get two new expansion teams, probably 2/3 of Nashville/Charlotte/ and either Portland/Vegas (if As don't move there)

Then there will be 32 teams, 8 divisions of 4. Montreal restored. The American South further tapped into. And 4 or 5 sparkling new ballparks.

This stuff has happened for 100 years. Hell, the Yankees were originally in Baltimore.

Baseball is a business.

Exciting times, IMO.

[Jay212033]

It think this is a good idea!

[nsacpi]

leverage

[Enscheff]

In case anyone is interested in the context of the otherwise random post...

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/...son-split.html

[SJ24]

leverage

Meh. I just don't see a stadium deal getting done in Tampa. They will either "explore" this and move in 5 years anyway, or they will actually implement this, see Tampa attendance crumble even more, and then have further justification for a full-time move to Montreal.

My intuition tells me powerful people don't tell stuff like this to reporters without being absolutely sure of what's going on behind the scenes. Of course this assumes MLB is run even close to as well as the NFL.

There's even less of a chance for a stadium in Oakland, IMO. See the Raiders.


BTW, Stu's statement is absolutely hilarious. I will post it real quick . . .

[Enscheff]

There's the small matter of the lease signed through 2027...

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2018/1...y-before-2027/

They may be on the hook for the entire cost of the lease if they try to move out of state.

[SJ24]

There's the small matter of the lease signed through 2027...

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2018/1...y-before-2027/

They may be on the hook for the entire cost of the lease if they try to move out of state.

A $2 million dollar a year after 2023 (when their new stadium in Montreal will be ready) penalty seems like peanuts if a city like Montreal gifts them a $750 million stadium (just spitballing that number)

[nsacpi]

Meh. I just don't see a stadium deal getting done in Tampa. They will either "explore" this and move in 5 years anyway, or they will actually implement this, see Tampa attendance crumble even more, and then have further justification for a full-time move to Montreal.

My intuition tells me powerful people don't tell stuff like this to reporters without being absolutely sure of what's going on behind the scenes. Of course this assumes MLB is run even close to as well as the NFL.

There's even less of a chance for a stadium in Oakland, IMO. See the Raiders.


BTW, Stu's statement is absolutely hilarious. I will post it real quick . . .

intuition eh

[SJ24]

If MLB doesn't want to revive the Expos (they should), they could cheekily be called the Montreal Ex-Rays.

[SJ24]

Tampa tax payers should say **** it and fork over a couple extra tax dollars to keep the team.

Tampa is a beautiful area and a well-located ballpark would be glorious.

Then MLB could expand to Montreal.

I just don't see it happening, as the opposition is steep. Hope I'm wrong.

[The Chosen One]

Now nsacpi won't give me **** for wearing an old school Expos hat with my Bravos shirt.

Also funny, is whenever I wear the Expos hat to Suntrust I get casual fans tell me how much they like the hat. I tell them it's a throwback hat and the M stands for Milwaukee. Never fails.

[The Chosen One]

Now nsacpi won't give me **** for wearing an old school Expos hat with my Bravos shirt.

Also funny, is whenever I wear the Expos hat to Suntrust I get casual fans tell me how much they like the hat. I tell them it's a throwback hat and the M stands for Milwaukee. Never fails.

[jpx7]

Twice as nice the second time.

[The Chosen One]

Twice as nice the second time.

Twice the Thanks baby. It's working.

[SJ24]

Hahahahahaha.

[Julio3000]

Now nsacpi won't give me **** for wearing an old school Expos hat with my Bravos shirt.

Also funny, is whenever I wear the Expos hat to Suntrust I get casual fans tell me how much they like the hat. I tell them it's a throwback hat and the M stands for Milwaukee. Never fails.

That’s so funny. I copped an Expos hat a few years ago and I get more comments on it than you’d believe. I usually just apologetically explain that I’m actually a Braves fan with a soft spot for Montreal, unless the commenter happens to be from there, in which case I will happily join in cursing Jeffrey Loria and Bud Selig in Quebecois.

[Julio3000]

I can’t even summon the words to describe how much I hate the publicly-funded-stadia horrorshows usually involved in franchise relocation, but Tampa shouldn’t have gotten a team to begin with and shouldn’t have one now.

[thethe]

Crazy thing is Tampa isn't that bad of a place either. Still needs a bunch of development but I liked the area. Should be able to support a franchise.

[Skeeter31]

I think the main issue is the stadium being in St Pete. If the stadium were in Tampa itself there would be higher turnout, but to have to go over the bridge to get to a game, it’s a pain in the ass. The lightning have no problem selling out their games because of the location of their arena in the heart of the city.

[TheBravos]

The Rays are on pace to win 94 games, have been a consistently good team, and are drawing the 2nd lowest number of fans per game in MLB right now.

Why in the world would that organization want to stay? Why would anyone expect them to stay?

That market is an embarrassment to MLB, and they should be doing everything in their power to abandon it.

I mean...they have a pretty nice park to play in there...so there’s that.