The Tampa Bay Rays just scored the right to look elsewhere for a new stadium and hasn't taken Tampa long to come calling.
"We're gonna compete and compete hard," said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
The mayor says while he would love to see the Rays end up in Tampa, his biggest priority is to keep the team in the Bay area whether it's Hillsborough or Pinellas County.
The mayor intends to meet with top Rays brass soon to find out how they work together to build a new stadium.
There are several potential locations in Tampa but the mayor's top pitch is in Ybor City.
The Tampa Park Apartments site sits on 20 acres, is joined by 40 more acres of public land, and has the urban feel major league baseball is looking for.
Mayor Buckhorn says Tampa and baseball are a natural fit.
"The Rays now have the opportunity to look in Hillsborough County. am certain that they are as excited as I am that they now have the opportunity to look. Tampa is a very competitive location given the history of baseball in the bay area."
A new stadium could cost as much $600 million.
Mayor Buckhorn says any potential deal with the rays would not be entirely tax payer funded like Raymond James.