Kriseman remains confident Rays will stay

Social media has been buzzing after Mayor Rick Kriseman said talks between the city and the Tampa Bay Rays over the Rays playing half their season in Montreal are over.

In a statement released to the St. Pete Catalyst, Kriseman indicated he is grateful for the feedback he’s gotten and believes the Rays eventually will decide to stay in St. Petersburg.

“I truly appreciate all of the public support for my position related to the Rays and my remarks yesterday. Every single day I am committed to doing what’s right for our city and our region, even if it’s not politically expedient. Please know that the road ahead is still a long one and I am confident the Tampa Bay Rays will come to see the light of the bright future ahead and make Tampa Bay their forever home,” the mayor’s statement said.

Kriseman sent a memo to the St. Petersburg City Council yesterday, saying negotiations had ended and the “best path forward”  is to abide by  an existing use agreement. That agreement requires the Rays play in Tropicana Field through the 2027 season and bars the team from negotiating to play elsewhere until then.

Stu Sternberg, principal owner of the Rays, issued his own statement, saying the Rays still believe the idea of playing half their games in Montreal is an idea worth exploring.

Here’s some of the reaction from Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for just saying no to the Montreal idea. It just represented a fundamental misunderstanding of what a sports franchise represents. They need to make a decision on 2027 as well.

— tbayray (@tbayray1) December 5, 2019

Ray’s want out and do nothing to be fan friendly.
I’d rather watch games at Fergs and support an owner that gives back to the community.

— nickrogone (@nickrogone2d) December 5, 2019

There’s also been more mixed reaction.

Ya losing team great job at that.

— ernie (@Lightningfan3) December 5, 2019

The @raysbaseball will eventually be in Montreal. As a wise man once said…”Patience”. It’s inevitable by the end of the 2020s. #BringBackTheExpos

— Jon Harder (@TheJonHarder) December 5, 2019