Towards the end of an article about Joe Maddon departing the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Daily News baseball reporter Bill Madden cited sources in saying that Rays owner Stu Sternberg had discussions with Wall Street investors about moving the club to Montreal.

After losing general manager Andrew Friedman and Maddon in successive weeks, now do Rays fans have to worry about losing their entire team?

The club says, not so fast.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, the Rays say they're not in negotiations with Montreal -- or any other city -- about relocating.

Here is the statement, in full:

"We are committed to making baseball work in the Tampa Bay region. We will do everything we can to make that happen and right now things are moving in a productive and positive direction. We have not spoken to Montreal - or any other city, including Tampa - about relocation at any point.''

The Expos left Montreal in 2004 after stadium problems of their own. A team moving to Quebec would likely have to play in Olympic Stadium while a new stadium is built. No current stadium deal is pending there, which could prove to be a major hurdle for any team moving to Montreal.

Rays radio play-by-play announcer Dave Wills was a guest on Press Box with Rock Riley (6 p.m. & 11 p.m. on BHSN, channel 47/1147), and debated 98.7 The Fan's Justin Pawlowski on the subject. Click the link to the right to see a video clip from the show.