The Things Left Unsaid, An X-Rays Spex Interview with Noah Pransky

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Noah Pransky of WTSP Channel 10 and the Shadow of the Stadium Blog.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re more than likely aware of the contentious war (of sorts) that has been aptly dubbed the stadium saga. Up for debate is where the Rays would be best suited to lay their roots, once their tenure (attenuated or otherwise) at the Trop comes to pass. Some feel the Rays should stay in Pinellas, while others feel that Hillsborough offers the Rays a brighter future. Then there’s the contingent, including MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, that feel the Tampa Bay area may be unfit for a professional baseball franchise, period. If one thing holds true, many have strong opinions on the Rays attendance and revenue woes. And in many cases, the opinions espoused are based on what is being pumped through the local media outlets, regardless of context or objectivity. Enter reporter for WTSP Channel 10 and blogger, Noah Pransky.

Noah Pransky hasn’t positioned himself on one side of the argument like many of his contemporaries; rather he has engaged would be viewers and readers to look at the stadium saga objectively. Furthermore, he challenges us to separate the signal from the noise, and seek out the things left unsaid. After all, those things may be the most telling. We’re honored to have been given the opportunity to interview Noah. Below are a few questions submitted by X-Rays Spex follower Mike McGee and me. I’d encourage each and every one of you to take a peek at this interview. Afterward, mosey on over to his blog, the Shadow of the Stadium, for his insights on the stadium saga.

X-Rays Spex: The Tampa Bay Times, among others, have embedded themselves into the stadium saga, effectively becoming part of the narrative. Because of it, does it ever feel like a David vs. Goliath type of scenario when trying to present an objective argument?

Noah Pransky: Its important to separate the Times’ editorial board with its journalists, who – by and large – have done a great job breaking news and covering the issue fairly.  The newspaper may not “run” St. Petersburg like it used to, but it still is a major voice and – as evidenced by the county’s fluoride votes – a major player in deciding which elected officials stick around for additional terms.

X-Rays Spex: St. Petersburg (and Pinellas County in general) is home to many larger companies including Humana, Ditek, Progress Energy, Raymond James, and Valpak, to name a few. Most of the aforementioned companies, along with many others, aren’t current corporate sponsors of the Rays. Meanwhile, the Rays brass have noted on many occasions that they need corporate sponsorship, in some form, in order to remain sustainable in this market. Have there been any indications why a good number of St. Petersburg/Pinellas County companies haven’t been tapped as sponsors?

Noah Pransky: I haven’t had discussions with the corporations, so it’s tough to tell if they are buying tickets or not.  It’s also tough to tell the reasons they may not be more vested in sponsorships – it typically comes down to bang-for-the-buck.

X-Rays Spex: There seems to be a common misconception that people in Pinellas County vehemently oppose a Rays move across the bridge. Personally, I’m of the opinion that a move to Tampa could be a solution tho this problem… but then again so could a new facility on this side of the bay. That is to say this situation warrants a discussion on the matter. It’s unfortunately assumed that Tampa is the land of milk and honey, and no discussion of the matter is necessary. In your opinion, why is Pinellas County being shunned in lieu of Hillsborough County?

Noah Pransky: A skeptic sees only one problem right now: the Rays are unhappy.  They have yet to provide any data that indicates they are struggling financially.  But if you think television revenues and revenue sharing aren’t enough to help the team succeed with the league’s worst attendance mark, then the team may need to cross the bay.

Hard to say why Tampa is “the land of milk and honey,” as you suggested, but the team has more or less dictated the direction of the dialogue, and with no other market in the country able to support a new MLB team right now, the Tampa-versus-St. Pete tug-of-war is a logical one for the team to create leverage.

The Rays have identified one thing – some fans in Hillsborough refuse to cross the Gandy or Howard Frankland bridges.  That’s why Hillsborough is the potential “promised land,” even though Downtown Tampa has the same number of people within a 30-minute drive as Carillon/Gateway.

X-Rays Spex: There also seems to be a very vocal contention of people who are whole-heartedly beating the drum for a move across the bay. Of this very vocal contention are a few that wield great influence and sway in the bay area. What, if any, motivation is driving those to be an advocate for the cause without giving credence to the whole argument?

Noah Pransky: Can’t speculate motivations other than a love for baseball and a fear of losing it.

X-Rays Spex: In your opinion, why hasn’t the culpability of the others involved in the stadium saga (besides Mayor Foster) come into question?

Noah Pranky: Tough to say. I wish the rest of the Tampa Bay news media would ask tougher questions, not just of the players in the Stadium Saga, but of anyone in a position of power.  The media is the public’s watchdog.

X-Rays Spex: At one point three other properties in Pinellas were designated as potentially suitable sites for a new facility: Gateway, Toy Town, and Derby Lane. Are there any indications why those locations have slipped beneath the radar, in a manner of speaking?

Noah Pransky: “Gateway” is kind of the all-inclusive area, which included Toytown and Derby Lane.  Toytown was seen as a great opportunity, but the economy did the developer in there.  And Derby Lane was only mentioned because the estimated cost to displace the business was minimal compared to building a new baseball stadium.  But Gateway, including Carillon, remains a legit potential site not just because it has as many people within 30 minutes as Downtown Tampa, but also because Pinellas County has more existing funding mechanisms already in place for a stadium.

X-Rays Spex: Has there been anything said or any precedent set that might indicate that MLB would ever pay off the lease on Tropicana Field if a good option presented itself in another part of the Bay area? Since MLB allowed the franchise to be awarded at that location, do you think they would take care of that obstacle?

Noah Pransky: There is no precedent of paying off a city that I know of. The Rays’ use agreement with St. Pete focuses on damages if it is broken and it’s open-ended, so St. Pete could demand a nine-digit payout.  And I’m not sure the new revenues from a new stadium would ever break even at that point.  But when I asked Stu Sternberg about new revenues from a new stadium, he said the team hadn’t looked into it yet, so we can only guess.

X-Rays Spex: Has anyone ever asked Bill Foster/St Pete why there have never been any major initiatives done to build up the area around Tropicana Field in order to make it a more entertaining/attractive area for sports spectators?

Noah Pransky: I don’t know if the mayor has addressed it specifically, but it took a long time for Downtown St. Pete to really develop into a thriving entertainment/restaurant district, and now the success is growing from the downtown hub.  Signs of life are sprouting up all along Central Ave – 1st Ave. North and 1st Ave South too – and they’re growing closer to the Trop.  It may never look like Baltimore or Denver around the Trop, but I think Downtown St. Pete’s development is only now growing the way they had hoped 15 years ago.

X-Rays Spex: Many have referenced your work when seeking a counter voice to what can be construed as the dominant opinion. With the casual reader, presumably, not taking the opportunity to delve deeply into all things stadium saga, I was wondering if you could point those readers in the direction of other objective sources?

Noah Pransky: I only aim to provide context and “the big picture.”  When we’re talking about hundreds of millions of tax dollars on the line, it’s important the media play the role of the watchdog.  It can be very difficult to cut through the noise on the stadium debate – especially since some of the major players are so good at commanding attention – but by paying attention to what’s NOT being said is just as important as paying attention to what WAS said.

X-Rays Spex: On a lighter note, where do you see the Rays finishing in 2013? Do you think they’ll   be contenders in an increasingly competitive American League?

Noah Pransky: Division champs.

 

 

Hot-Stove: Of Russ Canzler, Leslie Anderson, Reid Brignac, and Elliot Johnson

After posting a .309 BA/.355 OBP/.450 SLG/.805 OPS line in 2012, with 14 homers and 56 RBI, I'd reckon that the Rays might want to give Leslie Anderson (left) a once over going into Spring Training.
After posting a .309 BA/.355 OBP/.450 SLG/.805 OPS line in 2012, with 14 homers and 56 RBI, I’d reckon that the Rays might want to give Leslie Anderson (left) a once over going into Spring Training.

MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that 1B/OF Russ Canzler is again off the market. Canzler was DFA’d by the Yankees late last week. The Orioles swooped in, claiming Canzler Tuesday, while designating Luis Martinez for assignment in return.

There has been a fair amount of internet chatter over who the Rays may have in mind to fill their 1B/OF needs. Canzler’s name was dropped here and there, but Andrew Friedman never pounced on the three (ahem, or so) opportunities to snag Canzler off the market. With Canzler’s name officially scratched off the list, part of me thinks that there could be a reasonable solution within the Rays organization; Leslie Anderson.

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Leslie Anderson (along with 63 other players) received  an invite to Spring Training. Anderson had a beaster of a 2012, posting a .309 BA/.355 OBP/.450 SLG/.805 OPS slash line, with 14 homers and 56 RBI. Furthermore, he put up a .325 BABIP and an 11.6% K%, while crossing the plate 63 times last season. His time in Triple-A has made a few things are glaringly obvious. When he’s not mashing the ball, Leslie Anderson puts the ball in play and gets on base. And he inevitably crosses the plate when he gets on. I thought it was foolish for Friedman and Co. to pass on Canzler time and again. However, it’d be criminal to keep Anderson locked up in Triple-A for a fourth year, especially when he seems to fit a Rays need.

Finally, the Rays have DFA’d both Reid Brignac and Elliot Johnson, making room for Kyle Farnsworth and Kelly Johnson on the 40-man roster. This was an expected move. Elliot Johnson posted a .242 BA/.304 OBP/.350 SLG/.654 OPS slash line, with six home runs in 331 plate appearances in 2012. Reid Brignac appeared in 16 games for the Rays last year, after spending most of the season at Triple-A. Brignac posted a lackluster .231 BA/.323 OBP/.353 SLG/.656 OPS slash line in 400 plate appearances as a middle infielder.

Hot-Stove: Brignac, Canzler, and Other Random Nuggets (Almost) Fit to Print

0218raysjpgI wrote about Russ Canzler a bit back, so I don’t think that he really elicits further discussion… well, beyond the fact that he’s been DFA’d by the Yankees, and does seem to fit the Rays needs for a right-handed outfielder/first basemen with pop in his bat. That, and I think Andrew Friedman would be foolish to let him slip by the wayside again. Carlos Lee is on the free agent market as well. It has been speculated that a late-spring acquisition is likely. I digress.

On to bigger and better things, Reid Brignac. (editors note: you will never hear us use the phrase on to bigger and better things as it pertains to Reid Brignac again, I promise.)

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Reid Brignac is on the trade bubble. Stephen Vogt and Dane De La Rosa are also two DFA candidates, as the Rays attempt to make room on the 40-man roster for their three newest acquisitions, Kelly Johnson, Luke Scott, and Kyle Farnsworth. There hasn’t been a clear indication of whether Tampa Bay is trying to put together some sort of trade package or not. Lord knows that Reid Brignac, alone, isn’t very enticing. After posting a .288 BABIP/.227 BA/.268 OBP/.317 SLG/.585 OPS/60 wRC+ slash line over the last six seasons, I can’t imagine that there are any teams beating down the door to get their hands on Brignac.

I also wanted to remind everyone, the window to ask Noah Pransky any Rays centric questions is still open. We’ll stop eliciting questions Tuesday, February 5th.

Finally, below is a timeline of key dates. Spring Training is just around the corner!

Rays Key Dates

  • Feb. 12: Pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte
  • Feb. 13: First workout
  • Feb. 16: FanFest at Trop, full squad reporting date
  • Feb. 17: First full-squad workout.
  • Feb. 23: Exhibition opener
  • April 2: Opening day

Rays Brass Meet with the St. Pete City Council and the Pinellas County Commission; A Lowly Bloggers Account (Updated)

I mean, this location could work...right?
I mean, this location could work…right?

It would be safe to say that yesterday’s meeting between the Rays, the St. Petersburg City Council, and the Pinellas County Commission, though less gloomy than expected, left a sour taste in many people’s mouths. In all fairness, the stadium saga is a subject that promises to do as much. I was particularly interested in some of the finer details to have come out of the meeting; details that may have flown beneath the radar. I’m going do my best to speak to those.

The Rays revealed for the first time that only 300 of their 81-game season-ticket accounts come from St. Petersburg. Many have suggested that 300 ticket accounts equates to only 300 tickets, when in actuality that number is just under 1,000 season tickets. Furthermore, those numbers do not include partial season-ticket packages. They also chose not to disclose their single ticket statistics.

When you consider that those 1,000 season tickets compose roughly 33% of the Trop’s total number of open seats, while also taking into consideration the statistics surrounding partial season ticket packages, and single ticket purchases, the narrative begins to change. I’m not implying that the Rays are lying about their facts and figures. Rather, the numbers they chose to focus on may not tell the whole story. Their motive in focusing solely on full season ticket holders is unclear. According to Noah Pransky, WTSP asked the Rays for more information on the season-ticket base, but was told the team didn’t want to give out any more specifics.

Pransky also noted that,

In 2008, the team told the ABC Coalition that 25.4% of single-game ticket-buyers came from Pinellas County while 25.0% came from Hillsborough County. Pasco County accounted for 8.6% of single-game ticket sales, Manatee County accounted for 6.8%, and all other counties and states accounted for 34% of single-game tickets. The Rays told Hillsborough Commissioners last week of great growth potential across the bay, since 33% of their total fan base comes from Hillsborough County, compared to just 25% from Pinellas County.”

Without any additional information, it’s going to be hard to see how the demographics may have changed between 2008 and now. We only have conjecture lean on in this case. It would be reasonable to assume that the numbers have gone down across the board (not just in Pinellas) especially following the recent downturn in the economy.

That certainly doesn’t mean that we should be taken off the hook. The citizens on this side of the bay need to show that we, in deed and not just word, support the Rays. I still feel that even roughly 1,000 season tickets is an embarrassing number. We can do better than that. However, if the Rays organization is going to expect a new facility on either side of the bay, they are going to need to be more forthcoming with their pertinent demographic information, not just the information that frames their argument.

Another common argument that I hear from the pro-Channelside community, Mayor Bill Foster is an impediment between stalemate and progress; a claim that I am partially confounded by. Partially being the operative word. Mayor Foster certainly isn’t infallible. That he has stood in the way of real progress is a fact that that is not up for debate in my eyes. If we here at X-Rays Spex have stood for anything, it’s that both sides of the argument should be approached objectively. That is to say, Stu Sternberg has also been an impediment toward real progress as well.

Sternberg has repeatedly blown off Mayor Foster and City Council’s invitations to discuss things, including yet another invitation to survey the Carrilon site. I am surprised that a fair number of people, journalists and fans alike, have not picked up on this. I’m also shocked that those that have haven’t really taken Sternberg’s roadblock into account. Pransky also noted,

Mayor Foster sent a message to Rays brass that his calendar was open this Thursday morning from 7 a.m. to noon and he’d invite Sternberg to meet with him again. When asked if he’d accept, Sternberg said, “Maybe, I’ll have to check my calendar.” When asked how long he was in town, Sternberg remained coy, simply saying, “A few days.” Sternberg again reiterated his tired mantra; he wouldn’t consider any sites until he can consider all sites, including Hillsborough County sites.

Another idiosyncrasy surrounded Sternberg’s initial assertion that the team can’t sustain its success without a new stadium, due to dwindling revenues. However Sternberg negated that argument when he mentioned that the team also couldn’t sustain its success with a new stadium, either. The question begs, how much better of a shot will the Rays have with the new revenues from a new building? Pransky asked Sternberg to clarify things following the meeting.

(How much success) would depend on how much the team would take in from new revenues.  How much new revenue would a stadium create for the Rays?  Sternberg told me after the meeting he hadn’t looked into it yet.

It’s a baffling response, considering Sternberg had just told the Pinellas Commission that “we like to plan out…based on future revenues…so when we sign Evan Longoria to a contract that’s going to run past 2020, we’ve got to make decisions based on some of the facts we know.”

It would be inaccurate to paint the meeting as wholly awkward, combative, or unproductive. From all accounts it was quite the opposite. The Rays brass acknowledged that they would be more than happy to consider sites within Pinellas County and St. Petersburg, a fact that has eluded many. And that’s just it. It’s next to impossible to hear the whole story. It’s next to impossible for any of us to properly form an opinion on this matter when small, yet integral, bits and pieces of the story are intentionally being ignored by those framing the argument. The willingness, of a number of larger news outlets, to frame the stadium saga instead of objectively report on it poses a huge hurdle for the public at large.

Links For Finks:

  • Pranksy wrote in a recent piece, “What proof to elected boards? The Rays presented selected attendance stats, but when asked for proper context for those stats, they refused. The Rays have been asked about revenues and how much they’d put toward a new stadium and they refused.  The Rays haven’t yet opened their books, as the Tampa Bay Times has repeatedly suggested, so how do we know drawing 19,000 fans a game is really a problem when the current MLB system is designed to help those teams compete, survive, and profit (as the Rays have)?”
  • WMNF posted two interesting pieces on their site; Callers Aren’t Sold on Need For New Rays Stadium and Pinellas Commissioners More Receptive to A Rays Move Than St. Pete. Both are linked.