Senior baseball columnist and MLB Network analyst Tom Verducci joined 620 WDAE’s Ron and Ian Show on Friday and discussed the Tampa Bay Rays stadium situation.   While the debate continues to rage on and there is growing sentiment that the Rays will eventually move away from the Tampa Bay region, Verducci believes the Rays will stay in the Tampa Bay market.

When asked when where he believes the Rays will be playing baseball in the year 2020, Verducci responded “I do think they will have to move, and I think within that time they will have moved (in the area).”

Verducci went on to say that the stadium situation in Miami has not helped the Rays argument with Major League Baseball.  MLB releasing a statement last week saying they are disappointed at the attendance in the Tampa Bay market, saying status quo was not acceptable.

Verducci told Ron and Ian that although there are rumored sites where the Rays could land out of the state of Florida, he believes the best place for the Rays is right in Tampa Bay.

“I’m not buying it as a legitimate Major League option,” said Verducci.   “Whether that’s Portland or Las Vegas.   I don’t even know where else you’d go.”

“I’m not sure anything else out there is better than the Tampa Bay area” said Verducci.

Verducci also said that he would pick Tampa Bay to win the American League East as it stands today.