Will the Rays Move?

[Jakob]

Since Maddon is gone that seems to be the general consensus. Not to mention someone inside org said the Rays were looking for a new market and that was said before Maddon left. So I'm going to bring up the age old question. Any chance NC could attract the team?

[Luck's neckbeard]

No. They aren't going anywhere. Wouldn't be surprised if they went to LA if they moved, though. MLB wants a 3rd team there.

Charlotte decided they don't want an ML team when they built the new Knights Stadium uptown.

No other city in the state can support a ML team, regardless of what people in Raleigh think.

MLB approved the Twins coming here in the 90s but the public voted against taxes needed to fund a stadium. MLB wanted to move the Expos here but that went nowhere then DC stepped in.

Too many dumb people in NC worship the shitty ass Braves. Wouldn't be any support anyway.

[Goondal]

I do not think that they will move with current ownership.  He has said he would sell the team if he realized he could not make it work in that market.

[Goondal]

If I was to pick one city to move a team to it would probably be Portland.  Las Vegas would be a solid choice too MLB would be the last city to try that.  After that San Jose (if it is Oakland moving), Oklahoma City, and San Antonio would come next.  Charlotte would probably come next.  Brooklyn would be a great choice too but there is obviously no chance of that.

 

While I do not think Sternburg will move the team, a selling and moving of the team could be very possible.  I do not foresee a stadium deal happening anytime in the near future.  The team does not want to build a new stadium unless it is Tampa and St. Petersburg is not willing to let them look at Tampa sites (nor should they).  The lease runs through 2027.

 

Shelling out for a new stadium becomes even less likely after the disaster that has happened in Miami.  They shelled out for a new stadium and nothing has changed, the payroll and attendance are both still in the toilet.

 

I think if the team wanted to get out of the market altogether to a viable location then MLB would find a way to get them out of the lease, but it is not going to happen for them to move across the bay.

[JJman]

I'd imagine San Antonio, Portland, and somewhere in Canada being more likely landing spots then Charlotte (or NC, for that matter). With that being said, I'm one of few people who believe Charlotte could hold down a baseball team.

Still a braves fan either way

[Goondal]

I'd imagine San Antonio, Portland, and somewhere in Canada being more likely landing spots then Charlotte (or NC, for that matter). With that being said, I'm one of few people who believe Charlotte could hold down a baseball team.

Still a braves fan either way

 

Regardless of how well Charlotte or anybody else would do, it would be an improvement on Tampa, Miami, and Oakland

[Semaj]

I have heard rumors of the Rays heading north to Montreal. Montreal should have never lost the Expos. When a good product was on the field they supported the team very very well. That being said, I would totally support a move to Charlotte. That is a doable trip to go see my Angels when they come to play the Rays.

[Goondal]

I have heard rumors of the Rays heading north to Montreal. Montreal should have never lost the Expos. When a good product was on the field they supported the team very very well. That being said, I would totally support a move to Charlotte. That is a doable trip to go see my Angels when they come to play the Rays.

any rumor about them moving has nothing behind it until they have a potential buyer, or at least until Sternberg announces plans to sell the team. He has said on multiple occasions that he will either make it work in Tampa Bay or sell the team, but he will not be the one to move it