Hillsborough County lawmakers have been careful when it comes to the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Petersburg and the Tropicana Field discussions.
Officials have not wanted to say too much, instead opting to mostly sit back and wait.
But now, a local official is pushing for talks between Tampa/Hillsborough and the baseball team. Hillsborough Commissioner Chairman Ken Hagan said he is ready to talk about the team moving over to Tampa.
According to Bay News 9's partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Hagan is going to ask county attorneys if Hillsborough can start negotiating with the Rays on a future stadium location.
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster said he was surprised by the comments.
Foster has said repeatedly the city and team have a contract that runs through 2027. St. Petersburg city attorneys have suggested that anyone who meddles with that agreement could face a lawsuit.
Still, Hagan said if direct talks with team officials is allowed, he'll reach out to them.
The Rays have said that their current home at the Trop is not suitable for a Major League Baseball franchise.