The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/minor-league-baseball as On Board: Tampa Bay Rays' Top Draft Pick Daniel Pierce Signs First Pro Contract. Daniel Pierce, selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, has signed with the team.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

St. Pete officials have not confirmed the sale, but acknowledge they’re preparing for the possibility of the Rowdies leaving town — a scenario they hope to prevent.

The Athletic also reports: "Zalupski is expected to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area, with a strong preference to be in Tampa rather than St. Petersburg, the source said." Sternberg, who originally took control of the team in 2005,

A Jacksonville group led by billionaire Patrick Zalupski have agreed to buy the Rays for an estimated price of $1.7 billion, according to The Athletic. The deal is expected to be finalized by September after negotiations took place over the past weeks. The Rays' principal owner, Stu Sternberg, bought the franchise in 2004 for $200 million.

A group led by developer Patrick Zalupski is reportedly working to keep the team in Tampa rather than moving to St. Petersburg.

Shane McClanahan made a rehab start for the Triple-A Durham Bulls on Friday and didn’t get the results that neither he nor the Tampa Bay Rays wanted to see. The