There's no way of knowing for sure about Tampa Bay until the fans are offered an attractive product. The financial landscape has changed over that quarter-century. Major League Baseball has significant economic issues that need to be addressed. But all of those attendance numbers show that the problem isn't where the game is played as much as how it is played. An economic system that allows for better competitive balance and competent management that constructs a competitive team are the keys.
Contraction is a cop-out.
It has grown from a nice threat to toss at the union heading into negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement. Don't forget that whoever the real thinkers are behind the MLB empire, they have a poor track record. Contraction is a variation on that theme. Drop back and punt, aka put some quick cash in their pockets. First and foremost, that's what contraction is.