Could Rays choose to abandon Tropicana Field?

Sep 6, 2019; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A detail view of a Tampa Bay Rays hat and glove at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tropicana Field sustained major damage from Hurricane Milton, and those damages could lead the Tampa Bay Rays to abandon the stadium prematurely.

The Rays are set to move in to a new stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. in 2028 thanks to the city approving construction plans in July.

Depending on how things look once the Rays’ insurance company examines Tropicana Field, the AL East club may determine that it’s not worth paying money out of pocket to make all the repairs necessary for just a few years of use.

Instead, Bloomberg Business posited that the Rays could play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa until their new stadium is ready.

Steinbrenner Field is where the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate Tampa Tarpons play their home games. The stadium also is the spring training home of the Yankees.

At a capacity of just over 11,000, Steinbrenner Field is the largest minor-league ballpark. The Rays averaged around 16,500 fans per home game this season, which means they would likely have a capacity crowd each night at Steinbrenner Field. Perhaps they could add some temporary seating in the outfield to help fill the fan demand.

Keep in mind that the A’s are already planning to play at a minor league park in Sacramento, Calif. until a ballpark is ready for them in Las Vegas. This wouldn’t be a unique concept.