New Owners, Same Mission? Erik Neander is ‘Fired Up’ About the Rays’ Future, but the Big Questions—Payroll and a ‘Forever Home’—Loom Large.
TAMPA, Fla. – The Rays have new owners, and Erik Neander is excited. The Rays‘ President of Baseball Operations has gotten the impression that the new ownership group wants to win just as badly as he does, but wouldn’t answer whether they’re going to increase payroll. Neander wants that to come from them.
“We believe we can win here with what we have,” Neander said. “To do the absolute best with the revenues we have and where we are. When it comes to anything more than that, I think it’s appropriate for them to have their time and explain themselves.”
The Florida-based ownership group led by Patrick Zalupski takes over after the sale of the team has been finalized. Neander will stay on in his role. Neander knows the big picture with the new owners, there are two big hurdles to clear.
“There’s arguably our two big ticket items in front of us,” Neander said. “There’s a forever home that’s not here. It needs to be figured out and a championship to be won.”
The Rays will not be going back to Steinbrenner Field (Spring Training home of the NY Yankees) and are hopeful repairs will be complete to be able to play back at Tropicana Field in St. Pete next season and for at least the next 3 years. The new owners, with Zalupski as MLB Control Person and Co-Chair for the Rays, along with Bill Cosgrove, CEO of Ohio-based Union Home Mortgage, and Ken Babby, founder and CEO of Fast Forward Sports Group, will now try to do what former owner Stu Sternberg couldn’t do: get a new stadium for the Rays.
As far as on the field, Neander doesn’t think the Rays are that far away from being a playoff team. He likes the makeup of the squad, having veterans 1st baseman Yandy Diaz and 2nd baseman Brandon Lowe, combined with youngsters, including 3rd baseman All-Star Junior Caminero, and outfielders Jake Mangum and Chandler Simpson.
But as in every year, he has to make the right moves when it comes to additions, and he puts a lot of blame on himself for the struggles this past season.
“When you’re making roster decisions, it’s ultimately on me,” Neander said. “The last 12 months or so some of the roster decisions haven’t worked out the way we wanted to”.
Neander said he thought manager Kevin Cash did a good job with what he had to work with and hopes to be working again with him next season.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
