Some interesting words from Rays as stadium discussions near conclusion

PITTSBURGH - Among the many words said, written and posted on social media about the potential deal for a new Rays stadium in Tampa, two phrases stood out in team CEO Ken Babby's letter to the Hillsborough County Commission before last week's workshop on funding the $2.3 billion ballpark.

The first: "This level of investment is necessary to sustain a championship-caliber organization year after year, a commitment we have upheld since acquiring the team."

That certainly suggests the additional revenues from the new stadium would support a higher payroll than their usual bottom-five commitment (roughly $85 million this year).

Managing partner Patrick Zalupski said as much at the Oct. 7 introductory media session.

"We've got to deliver this world-class development, generate the revenue to produce a consistent champion," Zalupski said. "You don't want to be one year great and five years bad and have to go all-in. We want to build a sustainable championship team. I think the revenue generation that can come out of this development will provide that."

If that sounds familar, it should - and not just because baseball operations president Erik Neander would like to speak it into existence - as it has been a constant theme through previous stadium negotiations.

In 2024, before agreeing to, and then annulling, a deal in which they'd contribute $700 million for a new St. Petersburg stadium, former Rays president Brian Auld said much the same.

"We fully expect to put a lot more folks in the seats, expect attendance to jump, expect revenues to jump," Auld said then. "We will have a $700 million mortgage payment to cover with part of that money.

"But we wouldn't be doing this if we didn't expect to be able to put more money on the field, too."

The second phrase from Babby: "Should this commitment ultimately not be achievable, we would have no choice but to evaluate alternatives; however, that is not our desired outcome. Time and action are of the essence going into Thursday's workshop."

That, too, seems clear, that if this project doesn't happen, with votes slated for early next month, the new owners will start to look for a new home elsewhere.

With a number of markets gearing up for MLB's planned expansion following resolution of the Rays' 20-year stadium quest, there will be no shortage of potential options for a new home, with the benefit of getting an up-and-running organization and team.

So it's probably no coincidence leaders of the group seeking a team for Orlando are stepping up their effort.

They've opened an office in a downtown building that now bears a large "Orlando Baseball" sign, hired full-time staff, and have a marketing campaign and merchandise shop, as well as a stadium site. They also claim, per the Orlando Business Journal, to have in excess of $2 billion in funding for franchise acquisition and stadium construction. Realistically, that's not enough for both.

Draft breeze

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel goes with the consensus speculation that the Rays will use the No. 2 pick in the July draft on Fort Worth Christian High shortstop Grady Emerson after the White Sox tab UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1. But McDaniel also says they could consider Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey or UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora for under the $10,507,000 slot value to spend more on lower picks. … Baseball America's latest mock draft also has the Rays taking Emerson, noting he has "one of the safest profiles in the class" and that "few would argue if you wanted to say he had the best pure hit tool," and then Kingsburg (Calif.) right-hander Jensen Hirschkorn at No. 33. … The Athletic's Keith Law's rankings - not a mock draft - have Cholowsky first, followed by Lackey, Flora, Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell (who the Rays drafted as a high schooler in 2024 but didn't sign), then Emerson.

Law has Tampa Jesuit right-hander Kaden Waechter, son of former Rays pitcher/current TV talker Doug and wife Kristin, ranked 25th overall. .. McDaniel has Waechter ranked 28th buts says he could be a player teams "have in mind for their second pick when making an under-slot first pick." Huh, just he like he suggested the Rays might do. .. Baseball America doesn't have Waechter among its first 40 picks but ranks the No. 3 prep draft prospect in Florida.

Jersey boys

With Devil Rays jerseys on Fridays and the black City Connects on Saturdays, expect to see the Rays in the traditional white jerseys for all other home games, barring a special event. (Longtime and closely observant fan Elijah Flewellen said April 12 was the first non-holiday Sunday they wore white at Tropicana Field since September 2008.) The light blue jerseys will be worn occasionally on the road, but the navy jersey will be the primary choice.

Rays rumblings

Zalupski was seen in a social media video posted Friday talking with Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts and getting a bit of a tour of Wrigley Field and the surrounding development. … Last week's signing of Michael Grove as he completes rehab from March 2025 shoulder surgery illustrates the Rays' need for pitching depth with big-league experience, both starting and relieving, especially given their injury situation. …Big-time Latin urban singer Arcángel was at the Trop for the series finale against the Yankees, then met afterward with Junior Caminero. … The display of team-colored bats that reflect the AL East standings, notably missing during the first homestand at Tropicana Field, will be back in its usual spot in the second floor Draft Room. … MLB Network analysts Sean Casey and Mark DeRosa did a recent breakdown of Caminero's powerful swing, comparing him to Gary Sheffield, Juan Gonzalez and Ruben Sierra. … The Rays will celebrate Women in Sports Day on Tuesday at the Trop and, since they were on the road last week, Jackie Robinson Day on Friday. … The Rays have twice crossed paths this season with Tampa-born Hall of Famer Tony La Russa. He was in St. Louis for opening day festivities and in Chicago for his job as an adviser to the White Sox.

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 7:23 AM.