Sternberg: No flexibility to add payroll

Prinicpal owner Stuart Sternberg did about 20 minutes with area media after getting a look at the new spring facility, touching on a number of subjects.

The biggest news was the he confirmed what executive VP Andrew Friedman suggested during the off-season, that with their payroll creeping above $60-million (from $43-million last opening day), they have lost any flexibility to made in-season acquisitions - though he did leave the caveat that "you never say never" and his answer could be "a little different" come June or July.

"In past talks I've had in spring training, I've responded and said we'll have that flexibility. We don't have that flexibility now,'' he said. "At some point, you put your back to the wall, and I think that's where we are right now. We, quite frankly, can't really afford what we've got on the field this year. At least we were able to spend the money on a lot of value, we think, and pieces that will give us the opportunity to grow the franchise over the long haul, that gives us the best opportunity for success this year. This was where somewhat of my competitiveness came out in this. I think we have a real opportunity to win. It doesn't leave us any flexibility, but if you come around to June or July, the answer might be a little different.''

Also, Sternberg termed the new spring facility "awesome" and "spectacular'' and "it really says what we are;'' said season ticket sales thus far are "right at expectations,'' that he expects baseball to adopt a broader financial structure to increase competitive balance (but said he doesn't believe in a salary cap),  said they did "everything" they set out to and "batted 1.000" in accomplishing all off-season goals and took advantage of the tough economy to sign players they typically couldn't have.

The economy continues to be a concern for the Rays and all teams, and Sternberg said they had a "taste" of that last year as the bay area was "ahead of the curve" in having economic woes, but he still wants to team to operate as it has. He said about last season: "It wasn't the best year to win, let's put it that way.'' 

The Rays increased their payroll nearly 50 percent at a time when many other teams are cutting or holding the line, and some are suggesting they may have to dump salaries in-season if ticket sales and sponsorships lag. "We don't operate in a vacuum,'' Sternberg said. "Clearly, we were able to do some things in the off-season that if it was a year ago or six months before, there is no possible way we'd see some of the players here that are here right now. With (signing) Pat Burrell and augmenting the bullpen, we were able to do things that just weren't able to be done. So, as you know about me, I like to ying when people are yanging a little bit. I think while it's going to be a difficult time throughout baseball, and we have our challenges, I'm very excited in bringing a lot of value and having fans realize that and support us.''

Attendance will have some impact on the how the Rays do financially, but that is relative to what revenues the other teams have. Sternberg said they did research that showed since 1985, the only team that didn't go above the league average in attendance the year after appearing in the World Series were the Marlins  - after the 1997 and 2003 Series. He accepts that the Rays are likely to become another exception.

(Pictured: Stuart Sternberg, left, and Rays senior VP Michael Kalt, right, in front of an image of Carlos Pena. Times photo -- Dirk Shadd. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[9equals8.com]

I'm just wondering how long it will be before we hear all the nonsense about attendance again. Let's focus on the great things the Rays did in the offseason and the very exciting year we should be in for in 2009. GO RAYS!

[Rays Mike]

You can't drive 10 miles to Clearwater or Dunedin, or God forbid, drive over a bridge to Tampa to watch spring training? It's this typical example of small town provincial thinking that prevents the Bay Area from being one community.

[Razzlegator]

OK,
I'll give sailing a try. Just don't ask me to take a three hour tour.

[therayway]

Razzle - March is a beautiful time for sailing, especially if you live in St. Pete. Or the beach. Or get a dog.

[therayway]

I'd love to know how many of you actually know how to run a business. It sounds like, by some of the comments, that a lot of you have no idea.

TriplePlay - A new stadium would bring in increased attendance and revenue. I don't think they want to move the team, and i think "dupe" is the wrong word to use. It's up to the local gov't as of now. But yes, i don't think that it should be put on the tax payers.

Karl - wow. Try advertising? Maybe you haven't noticed the new commercials, but they're all over tv. No other team in baseball plays in their home town in spring. You should try watching them at the trop. You have plenty other spring options here (phils, yanks, jays). People like you need a time machine so you can live in 1930. Accept progress, don't hinder it.

Adam - Would you rather have him promise 105 wins and then only win 88? Then you would give him crap about that. He doesn't think we will suck, along w every other person who understands baseball.

Razzlegator - read response to Karl. Also, if you haven't heard, the spring training in Port Charlotte is sold out. If you want the team in st. pete, accept the move. And take up a hobby in March, maybe sailing. Or get a dog if you don't have one. I agree that you shouldn't have to pay for the stadium if you don't want to though.

9equals8 - because all the naysayers want to talk about is that stadium issue. They can't see past it. I don't think they are real baseball fans honestly.

Joe - i agree, they need a tampa bay uni. it's a little disconcerting.

[Razzlegator]

Just that Brian. I've been going to Spring Training games in SP since 1982. What am I supposed to do with the month of March now? (Actually according to Joe >=more than). And as far as a new stadium is concerned, I'm all for it on two conditions. One is that it's air conditioned,and the other is that the guy pays for himself.

[McLovin]

I think if they really wanted to, the Rays would drop the "TB" on the hats and just put a sunburst on it instead.

Doesn't matter how the product is wrapped, just what's in it.

I'm ready to have as much fun as I did last year, but without the whole "I'm so depressed we lost the World Series, I could not do anything at all for the next 6 months if I really wanted to" feeling, lol.

[brianj]

Razz-what do you mean by No Spring Training in Saint Pete is greater than SUCKS?

Thanks for shelling out the dough Stu; here's to hoping for another exciting season!

[Joe]

What about the road uniforms going back to "Tampa Bay"? To me this is just as big of an issue? When are the road uniforms going to be adjusted?

[RJ]

Karl - hush up! You're totally off base.

Stu is doing a terrific job. As a St. Pete resident I am proud to have a caring owner like Stu. He's put a terrific product on the field.

I want to see the Rays in St Pete for many years to come. Wouldn't it be nice to have thousands of jobs here now building a beautiful waterfront stadium? Lets hope it happens. GO RAYS!!!

[9equals8.com]

Trying to figure out why this turned into a "no new stadium" comment board. Stu was asked a question and he answered it. I believe it was an honest answer. Is it all that unreasonable to expect these guys to turn a profit on their investment? This ownership group is investing in this team to make it competitive and I LOVE IT!! I'll be at as many games as I can cheering on my team. As long as management continues to invest in the team and puts a competitive product on the field, I will be there 100%. I can hardly believe that I hear people complaining about this management group when all they've done so far is make being a Rays fan fun again. You must not have been paying attention before they bought a controlling stake! That's not to say they are perfect, but don't throw stones if you live in a glass house. Get real, folks. GO RAYS!

[Razzlegator]

Rays Mike,
What did Karl say that makes him anti-Semitic? My read is he's anti-millionaire hand-out, but that could just be me.

[Rays Mike]

Karl - Don't be so stupid. You would honestly would prefer a "carpetbagging" team here in Spring Training for 15 games than a team of your own for 6 months a year? Just because you are anti-semetic, don't let all of suffer because you have never left your green bench, physically and mentally...

[Razzlegator]

You hit the nail on the head Karl.Here's my inspirational slogan for Joe; No Spring Training in Saint Pete>SUCKS!

[Adam]

TRANSLATION: "Don't be surprised if we start to suck again."

[Karl]

Well ain't that special: Carpetbaggers Sternberg and Kalt ruined 100 years of spring baseball in St. Petersburg and yet they're still carping about money, money, money. Increase their fan base? Try advertising. The entire population of Charlotte County would fit between the dome and 49th street. Raise your hand if you miss watching the tourists and Card's at Al Lang. NO NEW STADIUM!

[TriplePlay]

These guys have done a great job with bringing the franchise forward but I never hear what their profit margin is and don't believe they are capped out.

A lot of this hype is positioning for a new stadium or moving the team somewhere that can dupe the citizens into a tax increase to build them a stadium.

[CP]

I like what the Rays have done in the off season. Now let's all go out and support this team as much as we can. The economy is bad, but you can bring in food and drinks with you when you go to the games. Go Rays!