Rays Search For New Ballpark Site, MLB News

The St. Petersburg City Council has voted to give Major League Baseball's Rays permission to search for new ballpark sites on both sides of Tampa Bay.

The team has played since its inception in Pinellas County at what now is called Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg.

The 5-3 council vote Thursday gives the Rays three years to also explore possibilities on the east side of the bay where Tampa is located. They already have been examining potential sites for a new stadium in St. Petersburg or surrounding Pinellas County.

The agreement spells out how much the Rays would have to pay the city if the club leaves its current home before its lease expires in 2027.

It also contains a provision for the team to benefit economically from the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site, which St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman believes is the best location to build a new stadium.

Reyes To Stand Trial  For Domestic Abuse

Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes, who was arrested in Hawaii on Oct. 31 after an argument with his wife that police said turned physical, will stand trial for domestic abuse charges, Maui County officials confirmed to the New York Daily News on Thursday.

The trial is scheduled for April 4, but Maui County deputy prosecuting attorney Kerry Glen told the Daily News that a plea agreement could still be reached before then.

Reyes, 32, entered a not guilty plea after he was arrested at the Wailea Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii on Oct. 31. He was jailed on $1,000 bond and issued a citation to stay away from his wife for three days after the arrest.

His wife was treated by medics at the scene, then transported to a hospital for additional treatment after the incident. According to a recording of the 911 call released by police, a hotel security guard reported that Reyes' wife had injuries to her left leg and scratches on her neck.

MLB continues to investigate the "facts and circumstances" of Reyes' arrest.

Orioles Offer Contract To Cespedes

The Baltimore Orioles have made a contract offer to free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, according to a report from MASN.

No further details were available on the offer, MASN reported, but sources told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick on Thursday that Baltimore has been discussing an offer for Cespedes for five years and somewhere in the range of $75 million to $90 million.

The Orioles are looking elsewhere to boost their lineup while waiting for slugger Chris Davis to make a decision on where he'll play this year. They have offered Davis, a free-agent first baseman, in the vicinity of $150 million to return to Baltimore, yet Davis remains unsigned.

Sources familiar with the Orioles' hitter search said the club has grown increasingly frustrated of late with Davis' demands and might be willing to head in a different direction.

"Cespedes is an option, but it has nothing to do with Chris," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Thursday. "We've talked about all of them. We talked about [Justin] Upton, we talked about [Howie] Kendrick. We're more interested in, do we want to give up a draft pick or not? We've got seven picks in the first 100 this year."