LDN - Sports

MLB notebook: Rays planning move to Tampa

[February 10, 2018] Tampa Bay Rays club officials, led by owner Stuart Sternberg, announced at a news conference Friday that the team plans to build a new stadium at a 14-acre site at Ybor City, a historic and trendy neighborhood in Tampa, Fla.

The move has numerous hurdles, most notably funding. The club also announced the formation of the organization Tampa Bay Rays 2020, a nonprofit which will attempt to raise public support, and ultimately money, for a stadium estimated to cost in the $700 million range.

The Rays have stated in the past they will pay $150 million of the cost.

There is also no timetable in place as to when the stadium will be built, thanks in large part to the financing questions. The team on Wednesday unveiled a new logo and merchandise to commemorate its 20 years. The Rays have played in St. Petersburg, Fla., since their inception in 1998.

--The Rays agreed with right-handed reliever Sergio Romo on a one-year deal, according to multiple reports.

Romo, who turns 35 in March, had a successful 25-game stint with the Rays to end last season. He went 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in 25 appearances after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Romo was 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in 30 games for Los Angeles prior to the trade. Overall, he is 35-27 with a 2.69 ERA in 570 career appearances, all in relief.

--The San Francisco Giants signed left-hander Derek Holland to a minor league deal, according to multiple reports.

The 31-year-old Holland suffered through a poor campaign with the Chicago White Sox last season, compiling a 7-14 record and 6.20 ERA in 29 appearances (26 starts). Chicago released Holland in early September.

Holland went 38-21 during a three-year stretch (2011-13) for the Texas Rangers before a string of injuries derailed his career. He is 69-64 with a 4.57 ERA in 208 major league appearances (184 starts).

--Field Level Media

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