Stu Sternberg, owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, has reached a significant agreement to sell the franchise for $1.7 billion to a group led by Florida developer Patrick Zalupski. The deal, expected to be finalized as early as September, aims to keep the team in the Tampa area, with a preference for Tampa over St. Petersburg for a new stadium. Zalupski, founder of Dream Finders Homes, will be joined by other notable investors, including Bill Cosgrove and Ken Babby.

This sale follows Sternberg's recent difficulties with plans for a new stadium after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, forcing the Rays into temporary quarters. Despite prior plans to develop a new stadium in St. Petersburg, unforeseen costs and circumstances led Sternberg to reconsider, prompting MLB's push for him to sell. As the team plays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the future of their permanent stadium remains uncertain.

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to change ownership, with a deal between current owner Stuart Sternberg and a group led by Patrick Zalupski nearing completion. The sale price is reported at $1.7 billion, with an expected completion date in September, pending Major League Baseball's approval. Zalupski, a Florida developer with ties to local sports, intends to keep the team in Tampa Bay, potentially moving from St. Petersburg to a new stadium. The new ownership group includes notable investors, maintaining a core of the existing management structure.

This sale marks a significant return on investment for Sternberg, who purchased the team in 2004 for around $200 million. The Tampa Bay Rays, having achieved considerable success, are looking to secure their future in the competitive MLB landscape while addressing stadium concerns. Previous stadium proposals have faced challenges, but local officials express optimism for a new facility to support the franchise's long-term viability.

The Tampa Bay Rays are on the verge of being sold, with a deal in principle reached between Florida developer Patrick Zalupski and current owner Stu Sternberg for approximately $1.7 billion. This transaction could conclude as soon as September. The need for a new stadium has become pressing, particularly after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, forcing the team to temporarily play at the New York Yankees' spring training facility.

Despite previous plans for a $1.3 billion stadium project in St. Petersburg falling through, Zalupski favors keeping the team in Tampa. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed optimism about the Rays returning to Tropicana Field next season, reflecting the ongoing pressure on Sternberg to finalize a sale amid discussions of relocation. Currently, the Rays are positioned fourth in the AL East with a 50-47 record as they head into the All-Star break.

The Houston Astros are gearing up for an aggressive trade deadline, emphasizing the urgency as they seek another World Series title. With their current success, questions arise about how much longer they can sustain this level of competition. A significant focus is on their pitching staff, especially with impending free agency and recent injuries. One potential target for the Astros is 24-year-old right-hander Taj Bradley from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Bradley, despite not being dominant in his early career, has shown flashes of promise. In his rookie season, he posted a 5.59 ERA but struck out 129 batters in 104.2 innings. This season has been more challenging, with a 4.60 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 103.2 innings. Houston's track record suggests they could unlock Bradley's potential, making him a valuable asset in their pursuit of another championship.

The decline of the curveball in Major League Baseball (MLB) is stark, with usage plummeting over 20,000 pitches annually as teams prioritize velocity. In 2024, the Oakland Athletics utilized curveballs on just 2.5% of pitches, mirroring a league-wide drop from 10.7% in 2019 to 8.5% this season. This shift is attributed to a preference for harder, more deceptive pitches like sliders and cutters, which are easier for pitchers to throw instead of traditional 12-6 curveballs.

Pitchers like Tampa Bay’s Shane Baz and Baltimore’s Charlie Morton are among the few still using curves, with Morton at the forefront with a 39% usage. The average velocity of curves has also dropped, resulting in a .225 batting average against this pitch, compared to faster pitches. With the average four-seam fastball velocity reaching a record 94.4 mph this season, scouting now heavily favors speed over pitch variety. As a result, the art of throwing a curveball is becoming a rarity in modern baseball.