Ken Welch said that while St. Petersburg has done everything it needs in regards to the Rays' stadium deal, the city would be able to survive the team bailing.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday that Major League Baseball remains committed to keeping the Rays in the Tampa Bay market and is working with principal owner Stuart Sternberg to resolve the short- and long-term stadium situations.

The parent New York Yankees are preparing to show off facility upgrades at Steinbrenner Field to start spring training. The Tampa Bay Rays will play their home games there in 2025.

The offseason has not deviated from the typical tinkering and cash saving maneuvers. Indeed, the almighty dollar is always on the front burner with the front office.

If the Tampa Bay Rays decide not to move forward with a deal to build a stadium and surround it with condos, restaurants, shops and office space, it may be awhile before anything else breaks ground there.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch had a message for the Tampa Bay Rays: Either take the previously negotiated stadium deal or walk away from the plan. Welch made the remarks during his annual state of the city address on Tuesday.

Will Rays ballpark deal in St. Pete reach home base? Posted: February 5, 2025 \ 'We are prepared to move forward'

Mayor Ken Welch said the city is ready to pivot if plans for a Tampa Bay Rays stadium and surrounding redevelopment fall apart. Welch’s comments during his State of the City address Tuesday seemed like a footnote compared to past mayoral addresses,

Mayor Ken Welch says he is ready to move on if the Tampa Bay Rays back out of the stadium agreement signed last year.