Craziest AL East Offseason? Why Rays Have Everyone Beat With Uncertainty

BOSTON — The American League East should be in for frequent player movement this winter with star additions across the board. The Tampa Bay Rays, on the other hand, will have even more to build for beyond the roster.

The Tampa Bay area suffered natural devastation in October during the impact of Hurricane Milton. Among the most notable damage came when the roof at Tropicana Field got shredded in the ugly weather and left the domed stadium in an unplayable state.

While the city of St. Petersburg, the Rays franchise and other parties battle over the future of where the team will play home games, the short-term solution puts the ballclub in Tampa at the New York Yankees spring training site.

The Rays have more issues to solve, especially after the city turned their backs on the franchise, but manager Kevin Cash felt some relief in knowing the Rays have a place to play in 2025.

“It’s been a little bit of a mess,” Cash told reporters before “The Tradition” Nov. 20 at TD Garden. “I’m glad that we got some resolution. Appreciate the New York Yankees and MLB giving us a pretty quick “yes” on being able to play at their spring training facility at Steinbrenner Field. We’ll still figure out and learn what’s going on as we get into spring training. I think we have three days to transition over there. Best case scenario given what’s taken place to the Tampa Bay area.”

Cash played at the complex during his own playing career, though playing games there in the summer in Florida weather will bring the Rays a new challenge. Planning for that weather did become a factor for the league, moving several home games in the summer months.

“I know that facility, I was there in 2009,” Cash recalled. “It’s a nice facility. To my understanding, they were already doing some construction upgrading. We all know the Yankees. If they’re going to do something, it’s going to be nice. I’ve yet to see it though.”

The flip side of the unorthodox summer playing environment could be an uptick in offense, with a humid environment allowing the Rays and opponents to carry balls out of the park.

“It’s great, we didn’t score many runs (last year),” Cash joked. “Maybe that will get us scoring some runs.”

The Rays, Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles all have paths to success in 2025 and Tampa Bay will benefit with the return of ace Shane McClanahan after Tommy John surgery.

“It will be another American League East grind getting through that summer,” Cash added. “It’s talented teams. We all get there a little differently. Baltimore’s coming and they’re as good as anyone now with the way they’ve developed. You know the Yankees are always going to be good. The Red Sox are going to be good. It’s a lot to be excited about. We’d like to think we can play a little bit better and be a little bit more competitive than we were this past September and see where that gets us.”

“The Tradition” airs Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. ET on NESN.