A decision on the Rays' temporary home is pending an assessment of Trop damage

A decision on a temporary stadium for the Rays has yet to be made pending a full assessment of damage from Hurricane Milton and the potential cost and schedule for repairs to their former home stadium at Tropicana Field.

A key factor is whether it's worth repairing the Trop, which is scheduled to be demolished after the 2027 season as the Rays move to a new stadium to be built on an adjacent site.

“They are still in damage assessment mode,” Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in Los Angeles before Saturday’s World Series game. “They’re trying to figure out how bad the damage is. This has to be done. Apparently it wasn't just the roof; There was also damage inside. We won’t know exactly what will happen until this process is complete.”

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told The Catalyst on Thursday, “There are a number of options” for a solution, and “as soon as we have more clarity on the costs, I think we'll say more about that.” The city, which is responsible for the repairs, is meeting with the Rays “consistently,” Welch added.

The city filed an insurance claim; hired a firm to assess the structural, architectural and technical condition of the building (which opened in 1990); and hired another to remove the remains of the roof, which had been torn apart by strong winds in the storm of October 9th.

Manfred said last week that the league is “hopeful” to find a way to let the team continue playing in the Tampa Bay area until either the Trop is repaired or the new stadium, scheduled to open for the 2028 season, is completed is.

The most likely options seem to be the Phillies' spring/minor league home games in Clearwater or the Yankees in Tampa. (Whether Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg is available is unclear, as it was so badly damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton that the Rowdies football team was forced to postpone its final three regular-season games.)

Another widely speculated option, albeit 90 miles away and requiring a move of players and staff, is Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports facility, where the Rays previously played regular season and spring games.

If the Rays use a stadium that hosts a minor league team, Manfred said MLB could adjust that team's schedule and likely the MLB schedule as well. “We can make it work at a minor league park,” Manfred said Saturday. “I think there’s probably some flexibility in terms of what we do with the major leagues schedule as well.”

Noting the complexity of the issue, Manfred said, “They've got to have a pretty good plan by Christmas, and there's a lot that goes into it.” So once we get through (the World Series), we've got to really focus and figure out where we're going to be and sort out the logistics.”

Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association, said Friday at the Series that union officials are waiting to hear back from the league. While the players' association is not involved in the actual decision, it does have a say in the working conditions for the players, such as the quality and amenities of the facility.

“I think everything is still up in the air in terms of the time frame, both short-term and long-term,” Clark said, according to The Athletic. “There are options, some of which have been discussed publicly, others less so, which need to be reviewed and we need to ensure that they meet a standard that is consistent with the major leagues.”

The Rays, who have not commented on options, could also consider other stadiums in Florida or elsewhere in the country, most likely in the Eastern time zone. Montreal and Durham, North Carolina were removed from the list. The Athletic reported that expansion candidates like Nashville and Salt Lake City are unlikely to be considered.

According to USA Today, Clark also said the decision on the Trop was a major factor: “I don't have a feel for it yet, but there is still due diligence going on at the ballpark itself – formal and informal.” A decision must be made whether by Adjustments to this standard can be made in 2025, 2026 or later.”

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