Sean is absolutely right, there is no investment in the team. While they have some good young players, there is no commitment to bringing in free agents at all. The starting pitching has one good guy and the bullpen is horrible. Both ranked last in ERA in the majors.
I think it absolutely starts with a new stadium. The current stadium is definitely dated. It is small and the amenities blow. In my opinion it ranks as the worst stadium in the league. I cannot claim to have seen them all, but I have been relatively impressed with all of the new stadiums I have been to over the past 10 years or so. I am a Cubs fan and probably the only one who wishes they would level Wrigley Field as well.
But the major problem is professional sports in Florida. Tampa has always been a Yankees town and I don't think it will ever change. I think all of the pro teams in Florida are having issues generating money at the moment, with the exception of the Bucs and maybe the Dolphins. I really don't think Florida can sustain two MLB teams. They should consolidate both teams and move them to Orlando. (Obvious bias here, but I think it would work.)
I think it absolutely starts with a new stadium. The current stadium is definitely dated. It is small and the amenities blow. In my opinion it ranks as the worst stadium in the league. I cannot claim to have seen them all, but I have been relatively impressed with all of the new stadiums I have been to over the past 10 years or so. I am a Cubs fan and probably the only one who wishes they would level Wrigley Field as well.
But the major problem is professional sports in Florida. Tampa has always been a Yankees town and I don't think it will ever change. I think all of the pro teams in Florida are having issues generating money at the moment, with the exception of the Bucs and maybe the Dolphins. I really don't think Florida can sustain two MLB teams. They should consolidate both teams and move them to Orlando. (Obvious bias here, but I think it would work.)