The Tampa Bay Rays were starting to feel extremely optimistic about the idea of splitting time between Tampa and Montreal in the near future, but the MLB has completely shut down the idea.
Per Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times:
BREAKING: #Rays season-sharing plan with Montreal killed by MLB, search back on for a full-time home https://t.co/pH2pAHBUf0
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 20, 2022
Per Topkin, the Rays were working on this project for the last 2.5 years and were awaiting approval to build new stadiums (open-air) in both Tampa and Montreal. Team officials made it extremely clear that if they weren't able to play half of their games north of the border, complete relocation would likely be the only alternative.
Nevertheless, the Rays will now be looking for a new home in the Tampa area for the time being, with the lease on Tropicana Field ending in 2027. As we know, it's one of the worst stadiums in Major League Baseball and for a team who has been very, very good over the last couple of years, they deserve to play in a much better facility and in front of more fans.
This will also be very disappointing for baseball lovers in Canada. Montreal, which was home to the Expos until they moved to Washington DC in 2004, had a magnificent fanbase and following in the city. It would've been a great move for the Rays, but the MLB is having none of it.
Back to the drawing board.
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