TAMPA — The massive makeover the Rays did to turn Steinbrenner Field into their 2025 home includes signs, posters, placards, stickers, videoboard programming and more, designed primarily to replace Yankees branding with their own.
But what may be the most striking image of their relocation hangs on a wall just inside the visiting clubhouse — a photograph of the tattered Tropicana Field roof in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
The 4-by-6 foot image, taken by team photographer Will Vragovic, serves as a jarring reminder of why the Rays are playing this season at the Yankees spring training stadium.
Rays players and staff, some of whom were impacted by hurricane damage themselves, obviously are familiar with the devastation the storm brought.
But visiting clubhouse manager Brandon “Tank” Richesin had the idea to remind and educate members of other teams about why they are playing at the stadium.
Why the clubhouse is not as spacious, the furnishings not as nice, the dining area not as convenient, the facilities not as upgraded as they’re used to elsewhere.
“Tank knows things will be different, less than ideal,” Rays chief business officer Bill Walsh said. “This is his appeal to visiting players and staff to remember what happened and how we got here.”
Doing so may preempt, or at least tone down, complaints visiting players might have, or at least discourage them from being shared publicly. Initial word Friday was that the Rockies were understanding and OK with the setup.
(It may be different when the Yankees visit Tampa April 17-20 and find themselves on the visitors side as the Rays enjoy their massive, state-of-the-art, better-than-the-Trop home clubhouse facilities.)
But as with many other aspects of the difficult situation the Rays were thrust into after being displaced, they are trying to do the best they can.
“If things are challenging this year, maybe things look a little different, things are a little more difficult on that side, it’s a little reminder of where we’re coming from and why we’re in the situation we’re in,” said Warren Hypes, vice president of creative and brand.
“And we want to have a little piece of our old home in our home away from home.”
The Rays also are leaning into the narrative in other ways.
There is a brief shot of the Trop damage in their hype video, plus a dramatic edit on the announcement of playing at Steinbrenner Field.
The cover of their media guide is a collage of photos reflecting their offseason, including the damaged Trop, players/staff at hurricane-relief events, the relocated Fan Fest at the St. Pete Pier and Rays-branded Steinbrenner Field.
There is discussion about adding a damaged Trop photo to the home clubhouse as well.
The $76 million men
The Rays opened the season Friday with a major-league payroll of $76,258,067 — down 21% from last year’s franchise record $96,568,667 but in line with their previous high of $78,245,400 in 2022.
Our calculation is simple math, the salaries of the players on the active roster (26) and injured list (five). Signing bonuses, incentives and option buyouts are not included (nor is the $8 million they were to pay Wander Franco, who is on the restricted list). Some players have split contracts and get less when in the minors. Players on IL are marked with x-.
x-Ha-Seong Kim $13,000,000
Brandon Lowe 10,500,000
Yandy Diaz 10,000,000
Danny Jansen 8,000,000
Zack Littell 5,720,000
Pete Fairbanks 3,666,667
x-Shane McClanahan 3,600,000
Drew Rasmussen 2,000,000
Shane Baz 1,450,000
Taylor Walls 1,350,000
Garrett Cleavinger 1,200,000
Ben Rortvedt 1,125,000
Edwin Uceta 815,000
Jose Caballero 776,800
Kevin Kelly 776,000
x-Richie Palacios ...
