Yankees gain hefty revenue boost by helping AL East rival in duress

The New York Yankees organization has clearly long idolized the way the Tampa Bay Rays do business. Therefore, it seems only natural that they stepped up to fill a need for their Floridian rivals.

Of course, there's also a financial incentive in it for Hal Steinbrenner. What, you thought the Yankees opened up their facilities out of the goodness of their own heart?

As first reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays will be playing their 2025 home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the Yankees. While it's a generous gesture, given the extreme cost of patching the roof at Tropicana Field in wake of Hurricane Milton, it's also pragmatic, given that the Rays intend on replacing The Trop regardless in the years to come.

Unfortunately, this does mean that two of MLB's 30 teams will be playing 81 games at minor-league facilities next year, thanks to John Fisher of the Sacramento A's. At least this disaster was natural.

Yankees News: Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field

Hal Steinbrenner's statement after the news became official was appropriately generous:

“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a Major League-quality facility for them to utilize this season. Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field. In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community — which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.’’

Of course, there is another benefit to the Yankees leasing out this 11,000-seat venue and doubling up the number of functions GMS will hold (running in rep with the Tampa Tarpons).

According to AP MLB, the Yankees will gain about $15 million in revenue from the deal, presumably sharing gate receipts and/or concessions with the Rays. That's even better than receiving Yandy Diaz.

With the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mets all pushing Juan Soto's future deal to its financial limits, an extra $15 million would be a pretty good incentive to up the bidding and zoom closer to the upper limits of the luxury tax.

Sometimes, helping an enemy in need pays off.