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The Rays say they are certain of one benefit from the new stadium deal: They will have more money to make the team better. That means a higher payroll for current players like Randy Arozarena and potentially more money to spend in free agency.
The bottom line is that having more people coming to games creates increased revenue streams that could be used to increase player payroll.
Luke Raley goes on the injured list, Randy Arozarena and Jason Adam leave with injuries, and Brandon Lowe could be done for the season.
The ability to hit the ball hard and often is what sets the infielder apart and led to his call-up from Double-A Montgomery.
John Romano | Tropicana Field is as nondescript as it gets for stadiums. The Rays want something more Florida-like to appeal to even casual fans.

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  1. The Rays say they are certain of one benefit from the new stadium deal: They will have more money to make the team better. That means a higher payroll for current players like Randy Arozarena and potentially more money to spend in free agency.
  2. This artists rendering provided by Hines shows a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays in the Historic Gas Plant District in St. Petersburg. The playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays put the finishing touches Tuesday on plans for a new 30,000-seat ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a $6.5 billion development project that includes affordable housing, retail, bars and restaurants and a Black history museum.
  3. Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam reacts as he leaves the field with trainers during the ninth inning of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.
  4. Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow reacts after he walks Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk, allowing Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette to score during the sixth inning Friday night at Tropicana Field.
  5. Rays infielder Junior Caminero, called up from Double-A Montgomery, takes batting practice ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.
  6. A side-by-side comparison of the current Tropicana Field site, left, and the Rays' proposed new stadium and surrounding development at the same site.
  7. This rendering of the new Rays stadium shows the parking plan in place for opening day set for 2028.
  8. American League infielder Junior Caminero takes the field during the All-Star Futures Game in July at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
  9. Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe grabs his right knee after fouling a ball off it during a seventh-inning at-bat Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels at Tropicana Field.
  10. Centerfielder Manuel Margot, front, celebrates after his RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning gives the Rays a 5-4, walkoff win over the Los Angeles Angels Thursday at Tropicana Field.
  11. From left, catcher Christian Bethancourt, starting pitcher Aaron Civale and pitching coach Kyle Snyder have a discussion on the mound in the second inning against the Angels on Wednesday. Shortstop Taylor Walls is hidden on the back left.
  12. Chloe Grimes, a 10-year-old who has battled cancer, chats pre-game with her favorite player, former Rays and current Angels outfielder Brett Phillips.
  13. This animation shows the three phases of development expected for the Rays and Hines' redevelopment of St. Petersburg's 86-acre Tropicana Field site. First, between 2024 and 2029, a new stadium and other buildings will go up east of Tropicana Field. After Tropicana Field is demolished, from 2030 to 2035, new office, residential and retail buildings will go up on the land where it once stood. Finally, from 2036 to 2043, developers will build out the southwest corner of the site with additional office, retail and residential space.
  14. Rays setup man Jason Adam threw a live batting practice session before Tuesday’s game against the Angels, the next step toward returning from a left oblique strain.
  15. Rays leftfielder Randy Arozarena reacts after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning of Tuesday's game against the Los Angels Angels at Tropicana Field.
  16. Rays fans Arlene Magro, 78, and her husband Raymond Magro, 77, arrive at Tropicana Field for the game between the Rays and Angels on Tuesday. The couple has owned Rays season tickets since 2003.
  17. This rendering released by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday shows the interior of a proposed new ballpark on the site of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
  18. An artist's rendering of the proposed Rays Stadium and redevelopment of the historic Gas Plant District
  19. In the three years prior to opening of Truist Park in 2017, the Braves were in the bottom half of MLB in average attendance. In the six years since, they have been in the top half of MLB attendance, including top five the past three seasons.
  20. A rendering from a plan submitted by the Tampa Bay Rays and Hines shows a view looking north across Booker Creek at a new Rays stadium and proposed music hall.
  21. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch speaks at Tropicana Field on Tuesday in St. Petersburg. The Rays, St. Petersburg and Pinellas County announced an agreement for a new ballpark to be built in St. Petersburg.
  22. Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg, left, steps from the podium at a Hillsborough County Commission meeting as team president Matt Silverman prepares to speak during a discussion about a potential new baseball stadium.
  23. A rendering of the Rays' new stadium in the Historic Gas Plant District.
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