2024-25 MLB Hot Stove thread

[miami_fan]

And we're off

Angels land slugger Jorge Soler from Braves for RHP Griffin Canning - ESPN

[Ksyrup]

Too soon!

I just replaced my MLB tab off The Score widget with CBB on my phone. I'm not ready for this.

[miami_fan]

Rays to play 2025 season at Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field

This should be really interesting. I have talked about the hell that is traveling to Tropicana Field especially on weekdays. Steinbrenner Field is across the street from Raymond James where the Bucs play and maybe three miles from the heart of downtown Tampa if that. It has a capacity of 11,206. Building a stadium close to downtown Tampa would have been the best case scenario for a new stadium for the Rays IMO. The downside is there is no roof. I don't think it can, but I would love any and all positives from this season to influence and ultimately lead to plans for the new stadium to change from St Pete to downtown Tampa.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know if that article goes into the insurance issues and whether the city even has an incentive to fix the stadium at all given they're supposed to build a new one for 2028, but they may need a multi-year solution assuming they'll be able to get public financing to build the new stadium. Or, this may be the chance to get out of town entirely.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I don't know if that article goes into the insurance issues and whether the city even has an incentive to fix the stadium at all given they're supposed to build a new one for 2028, but they may need a multi-year solution assuming they'll be able to get public financing to build the new stadium. Or, this may be the chance to get out of town entirely.

Are you a politician in Pinellas County? Because you sound very much like the politicans in Pinellas County.

Pinellas County leaders disappointed by Rays' decision to play in Tampa

TBF, I feel like they have every right to be worried. I am sure the city attorneys are pouring over the agreement with the team to see if natural disaster clauses/escapes.

[Ksyrup]

They cut back on their insurance coverage last year to save $250K in premium which is going to end up costing them millions in insurance that would have helped cover much more of this damage. So now the question is, when also considering the public money the team expects the city/county to put into a new facility, do they just cut their losses and let the team go? Dont fix the stadium, don't fund the new facility. They can be nomads for a couple years while they find a new permanent home in city that will cough up the funding they want.

[cuervo72]

Cities should demand ownership stakes in teams. Sure, we’ll help with your stadium — but we own part of you now.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Cities should demand ownership stakes in teams. Sure, we’ll help with your stadium — but we own part of you now.

But that is socialism! Capitalism is when the government gives hand outs to billionaires and also covers any losses they might occur while the billionaires keep all the profit. At least, that is the American version of capitalism.