According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays’ plan to split their seasons between Tampa Bay and Montreal “has been killed by Major League Baseball officials.”
Rays ownership has been pumping up this project for more than two years, and Topkin notes that MLB’s decision to suddenly put an end to it frustrated and stunned team officials. The organization’s focus, per Topkin’s sources, will now shift toward building a new permanent home in the Tampa Bay area. There had been chatter about full-on relocation before the wonky split-city concept began to take shape in 2019. The current lease agreement at Tropicana Field is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2027 season.