Rays Ownership Deserves the Trust of Fan Base

One of the most unfortunate aspects of the Rays’ difficult decisions to part with popular players this off-season has been the barrage of unwarranted criticism levied at team ownership from disgruntled fans.  While it is understandable that supporters are frustrated over the idea of the team taking a step back, the fact remains that Stuart Sternberg has met and exceeded every goal he established upon acquiring majority ownership five years ago. 

This team led the American League East virtually wire-to-wire last season and we learned that our loyal fan base is simply not a large one.  Many doubt it will ever grow to the point where the Rays can maintain a modest payroll over a sustained period of time.  These are some serious fiscal constraints from within this ownership must work.  Every Rays fan that writhed in frustration every time we lost a valuable player to free agency this off-season should consider how painful it must have been for the ownership to watch their divisional championship team be splintered.  Again, it is reasonable to assume that, in a better market, ownership would have been more willing to retain players.

Some of the contracts given to Rays free agents were downright ridiculous.  Even if they could afford it, the Rays would have been foolish had they paid those sums of money to Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Joaquin Benoit.  You cannot build a consistent winner, particularly in a poor market, by grossly overspending like that.

At the same time, the 2011 Rays are not the 1998 Marlins.  While we lost important pieces, this is still a ball club that will hold its own.  More importantly, the moves made this off-season dramatically improve the team’s likelihood of remaining competitive in years to come.  It was absolutely necessary for this team to shed payroll for the purpose of executing targeted spending on free agents when they are again close to becoming a championship-caliber team again – possibly as soon as 2012. 

From enhancing of the aesthetic appeal of Tropicana Field to dramatically improving the fan experience to the staggering on-field accomplishments of the team during his short tenure, Stuart Sternberg’s group has made good on virtually all their promises.  As part of our analysis and discussion on this site, we will inevitably question certain decisions.  But critical analyses will always remain in the context of what this ownership has done for the franchise and its fan base.  At this point in time, they have earned our trust.