MLB owners backed the $1.7 billion Rays sale to a team led by Patrick Zalupski, a builder from Jacksonville. "The situation in Tampa has a lot of promising developments," said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, according to Front Office Sports. "The sale to a group that has huge, deep roots in Tampa would be a definite positive... The Rays dropped plans for a $1.3 billion park near Tropicana Field in March. The small park fits just 10,046 fans.