The Rays finally have some affiliation stability. Between the Vero Beach/Port Charlotte High-A team and them sticking with the new Bowling Green franchise for Low-A they've put an end to the two revolving doors in the organization. If things go well with Bowling Green going forward then they should actually be pretty set for a while at all levels.

From the major-league point of view the obvious answer is for the New Orleans franchise to move to Richmond and become the Nationals affiliate. But from the point of view of the AAA owners, this would be a big downgrade in stadium quality, so I guess it won't happen.

My personal dream for the Cardinals org:

AAA: New Orleans
AA: Springdale
A on down: whatever

The Braves are pretty much ideally situated as far as affiliates go, with only Danville standing out from a location perspective:

A - Rome, GA
A+ - Myrtle Beach, SC
AA - Pearl, MS
AAA - Lawrenceville, GA

While I'm sad for the city of Richmond, I won't miss that dump of a stadium and I look forward to seeing Tommy Hanson pitch in person next year. The new G-Braves should be more fun to watch than the big league version, sadly...

I think I've asked this on another thread, but why exactly is New Orleans seen as such an undesirable location for a minor league franchise?

It's a relatively large southern city with a nice stadium that draws pretty well (I've been to a Zephys game or two, and the crowds are comparable to those I've seen in Trenton). There's almost no sporting competition throughout the summer (unless you want to count Tulane/UNO/LNO baseball games in the spring) until the Saints kick off. Plus, the stadium is on high ground - if Katrina couldn't flood the stadium, nothing will.

So why would NOLA have to take the sloppy seconds of the Nationals AAA franchise? And why would the Nationals view an affiliation with NOLA as sloppy seconds?

New Orleans doesn't draw all that well for an AAA team (Trenton is AA) - they were near the bottom of the PCL in attendance this past season. The Zephyrs also have the worst travel situation in the PCL - Memphis, at six hours away, is the closest PCL city. Those two factors make it very costly to run a franchise there.

Triple-A realignment is going to happen; it's just a question of when.

-- MWE

We do get Yankees vs Red Sox in a couple of minor league matchups: Pawtucket vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the IL, Trenton vs Portland in the EL. We've also got a Cardinals/Cubs matchup in the Florida State League (Palm Beach vs Daytona).

-- MWE

Triple-A realignment is going to happen; it's just a question of when.

Resurrect the American Association, or something like it?

So can the Giants get out of Dodd in Connecticut? It doesn't seem as if there is anywhere to go in AA that would be better for the Giants (aside from getting out of Dodd Stadium) unless they get an entirely new franchise.

I don't think there will be a new AAA league. Some of the things that are being floated are along the lines of divorcing AAA entirely from the current player development structure. Since AAA has become primarily a holding ground for veteran fill-ins, it's possible that it might become a collborative structure along the lines of the Continental Basketball Association, where any major league team could sign any player from any AAA team as a temporary fill-in as and when needed. MLB under this scenario would collectively finance the league teams.

The elimination of the complex leagues (GCL and AZL) will almost certainly be revisited, along with some revamping of the short-season structure.

-- MWE

that would be a pretty radical restructuring.

Utica's available!

So prospects couldn't play at AAA anymore? The jump from AAA to the majors is tough enough but if all prospects have to jump from AA to the majors wouldn't that be risking excessive steepness? What would happen to the veteran fill-ins on 40 man rosters? Would they now have to go to AA?

Since AAA has become primarily a holding ground for veteran fill-ins, it's possible that it might become a collborative structure along the lines of the Continental Basketball Association, where any major league team could sign any player from any AAA team as a temporary fill-in as and when needed. MLB under this scenario would collectively finance the league teams.

That would be very interesting. First of all, there would be no need for exactly 30 AAA teams to correspond with the 30 major league teams. Second of all, it would make them more similar to independent league teams, so probably the more successful teams in the Northern League or Frontier League would want to join this new AAA system. And also, with teams viewing AAA/AAAA players as fungible, it would lead to the teams seeking players on whichever AAA team is closest to them geographically...so players on, say, New Orleans, or Salt Lake City, would generally be passed over for promotions, I would imagine.

Finally, it would make the long-dreamed-of notion of relegation and promotion theoretically possible, though still incredibly unlikely, instead of completely impossible. If the management at Sacramento gets really smart, and now that all their moves aren't dictated for the good of the Oakland A's, they put together a roster that wins 70% of its games and every starter and several of the pitchers are in demand by MLB teams, some sportswriters will say "How come we can't see how this team would do against the major leagues?"

What would happen to the veteran fill-ins on 40 man rosters? Would they now have to go to AA?

I am imagining that the 40-man rosters would shift to containing nothing but actual prospects, with a couple empty spots for AAAA players to go in and out of. And teams being ruthless about cutting ties with players who they don't see as having a high ceiling, with the knowledge that those players are good enough to end up at AAA and they can continue to keep an eye on them.

Then maybe AAA salaries would have to go way up to keep those guys from signing in Japan or Korea.

Pawtucket would fight this tooth and nail. Its value is tied up in being linked to Boston. Aren't there other teams that have such connections? The Indians are going into Columbus, the Mariners are in Tacoma, Chicago-Iowa, Arizona-Tuscon. Houston, Oakland, Colorado, KC.

If AAA were removed from the prospect system, I would want a small number of players to be designated for each team, something like the current NBA development league. That way teams could designate some prospects for the higher level and keep some key reserves, like 6th and 7th starters that they do not want to risk to losing to the league.

Arizona-Tuscon

Sadly the Tucsons have been sold and will be playing in Reno next year.

Well, I said it was being floated; I don't know that it's terribly likely to be adopted. I do know that there is a tremendous amount of dissatisfaction with the state of things in AAA, both among the franchise owners who rarely see top prospects for very long, and within the ranks of MLB general managers. I can't imagine they're going to let that fester.

As far as the Giants getting out of Dodd: There's only one opening in the Texas League, at San Antonio, and four teams who probably want it - the Dodgers, the Giants, the Mariners, and the Padres (the current affiliate). The Missions can probably name terms, and I would bet on the Dodgers returning there at this point. The only other EL opening is in Trenton, and the Thunder are virtual locks to re-up with the Yankees. There are five slots open in the Southern League, although I'd bet that the Brewers will go back to Huntsville and everything I've heard suggests that the Marlins will be back at Five County. Jacksonville's a wild card in all of this; the Dodgers clearly want to leave, and the Suns really want the Marlins to come there. West Tenn is clearly an unattractive option; the fan support is awful, and the ownership isn't committing to the place. If there were a reasonable ballpark option elsewhere, the Diamond Jaxx would be gone.

The latest report on the shuffle to Richmond involves the possibility of the Bowie ownership moving their franchise (and its Orioles affiliation) to Richmond, and Connecticut taking over Bowie's slot.

-- MWE

If there were a reasonable ballpark option elsewhere, the Diamond Jaxx would be gone.

Wichita?

My personal dream for the Cardinals org:

AAA: New Orleans
AA: Springdale
A on down: whatever

Really? I thought Memphis has been a huge success for the Cards. Its helped solidify Cards support in the region, and the Memphis franchise seems to be very healthy.

So prospects couldn't play at AAA anymore?

I imagine MLB teams would loan prospects to AAA teams, although I wonder if there would be conflicts over pitcher usage and injuries.

If there were a reasonable ballpark option elsewhere, the Diamond Jaxx would be gone.

Wichita?

I imagine that is geographically difficult with Wichita so far west of the other Southern League teams.

What about Richmond? Too far north?

If AAA were to undergo that kind of transformation, what does that do for markets such as Charlotte and Columbus who either have new parks or will be getting new parks? I know there's a lot of movement afoot in both of those cities to get people energized about those parks -- does that change the dynamic there at all?

I imagine that is geographically difficult with Wichita so far west of the other Southern League teams.

Yeah, it's way over on the other side of Missouri from the rest of the Southern League. Definitely Texas League territory...in theory.

If Shreveport didn't have the world's worst stadium it would be a good option. I suppose Tallahassee is out because of the "no beer at college facilities" issue.

What about Richmond? Too far north?

Richmond's got an odd situation - it's far better situated for either the Carolina League or the International League than for any AA league. Bowie and Carolina are the only AA franchises that are close to Richmond; with the traffic you're pretty much on a bus for at least five hours from anywhere else in either league. The Eastern League is marginally better, assuming the league stays in Harrisburg; except for Carolina, every bus ride from a Southern League town to Richmond is at least seven hours, and it's about 14 from Mobile or Pearl.

-- MWE

From the major-league point of view the obvious answer is for the New Orleans franchise to move to Richmond and become the Nationals affiliate. But from the point of view of the AAA owners, this would be a big downgrade in stadium quality, so I guess it won't happen.

Also, New Orleans is in the PCL and Richmond is in the IL. A team from the IL would have to move to the PCL to accomodate the move from New Orleans to Richmond. The furthest West IL teams are Indianapolis and Louisville and neither of those are moving to the PCL.

It would make just as much sense for Indianapolis or Louisville to be in the PCL as it does for Memphis and Nashville to be in the PCL now. The league already spans 3 time zones, and Nashville is about a 2-hour drive away from the Eastern Time Zone.

I wonder at what point rising fuel costs will cause it to make more sense for there to be three AAA leagues again, like there were before 1997.

I wonder at what point rising fuel costs will cause it to make more sense for there to be three AAA leagues again, like there were before 1997.

There will not be three AAA leagues any time soon. MiLB is addressing this by unbalancing the schedule.

-- MWE

Braves terminate their agreement to use the Diamond. All that's left is for the team to release the territory, which should happen in the next few days.

-- MWE

In addition to Jacksonville, the Dodgers are likely to leave Las Vegas as well. Both Las Vegas and Albuquerque sources are reporting that the Dodgers will probably return to Albuquerque.

-- MWE

There will not be three AAA leagues any time soon.

Why not? For that matter, why was the AA disbanded? I cannot find anything after a search.

There is no strong push for a third AAA league, mostly because of administrative costs. The AA collapsed largely because of a desire to streamline management at the minor-league level.

-- MWE

The people in Syracuse are excited about a potential partnership with the Mets, but might face tough competition from Buffalo. Toronto is also interested in Buffalo which makes sense geographically.

The question is what happens if Buffalo gets the Mets.

Would Syracuse take Toronto back?

Or would Syracuse look to a new partnership with Florida (who could be losing its affiliation with Albuquerque) or Washington (who is out of Columbus)?

Syracuse would be appealing to the Nats. It's just up the road on I-81, and you pass Harrisburg on the way!

There will not be three AAA leagues any time soon. MiLB is addressing this by unbalancing the schedule.

Fair enough. The PCL just needs to unbalance the schedule to the point where the midwest teams and the coast teams don't play each other during the regular season.

Syracuse would be unlikely to go with Florida, and almost certainly won't go back with the Blue Jays (they haven't had a competitive team there in some time). The Nationals are more likely if the Mets go to Buffalo, although I still think it'll me Mets/Syracuse and Jays/Buffalo.

-- MWE

I agree with you, Mike.

But I was just curious if the allure of the Mets in Buffalo might supercede the geographical allure of Toronto.

I still think when the music stops, Florida and Washington will be fighting over New Orleans with the loser headed to Las Vegas, further west than either would ideally hope.

Pirates likely moving from Lynchburg and Hickory.

It's at the bottom of the article, underneath the Alvarez bit. Possible destination for the SAL affiliation is West Virginia.

-- MWE

BA reports that San Antonio has resigned with the Padres, removing the last available slot in the Texas League. The BA blog also notes that the Brewers could move their low-A affiliation to Wisconsin (MWL).

-- MWE

"Pirates likely moving from Lynchburg and Hickory.

It's at the bottom of the article, underneath the Alvarez bit. Possible destination for the SAL affiliation is West Virginia."

Too bad, though it makes sense from a logistical standpoint. I had fun watching the Pirates of the future at Hickory when I was in school.

Regarding the Pirates leaving Hickory ... which makes more sense, Charleston, WV or Hagerstown, MD? Charleston is three and a half hours away while Hagerstown is three.

Dodgers Leaving Las Vegas, Marlins AAA to Sin City?

Just out of curiosity, why would the Dodgers do this? It would seem that establishing a beach head in one of the 30 biggest markets, even if the population demographics ever keep it from becoming a true Dodgers town, would beat the heck out of Albuquerque.
And if a team ever does move/expand, wouldn't holding the territorial rights to LV have some value?
IF Florida hadn't gotten the stadium thing sewn up, you could bet the story would be they were setting things up for a possible move... and with Loria's history I suppose that is still possible in a "you can have the Marlins, and give me some cash and I'll take your team and move it to Las Vegas" kind of way.

Where did you go to school, Vlad?

PIT: I'd pick Charleston WV. Relatively new facility, arguably Pirates territory.
LV: Dodgers would only own rights if they also own the team - which they don't/wouldn't. Cashman is a lousy facility and both it and Albuquerque are impossible places for pitchers.

Just out of curiosity, why would the Dodgers do this?

Der-K hit the main reason in #42; Cashman Field is antiquated, whereas Isotopes Park is new and has all of the amentities.

Now why the Marlins would go to Vegas instead of New Orleans, I am far less certain.

-- MWE

Sadly the Tucsons have been sold and will be playing in Reno next year.

Ugh, I hadn't heard this.

I spent a bunch of time in Tucson in the summer of '02 and was struck by how far in the middle of nowhere Tucson Electric Park was. That couldn't possibly have helped attendance. Plus, the very idea of paying $10 to sit outside in Tucson in August isn't exactly something that would appeal to most people.

I liked the ballpark, bought a Sidewinders hat that I still wear a lot. Sucks to hear a traditional AAA town is losing its team.

It's not New Orleans/Metarie? That's all I've got...

Does anyone else think Reno won't be a successful franchise in the long run? Even with growth, I don't think it's a AAA market...

The Cardinals have resigned with Memphis - for four years, through 2012.

-- MWE

Update on Richmond situation. The Braves have filed the paperwork to release the territory, and the International League will vote to approve the move to Gwinnett County during the league meeting next week. The IL has also granted permission for leagues, owners, and prospective owners to talk to Richmond.

-- MWE

Does anyone else think Reno won't be a successful franchise in the long run? Even with growth, I don't think it's a AAA market...

I made a spreadsheet a few years back, and based on 1999 population Reno was 128th biggest MSA, with 319,000 people (there were 5 or so Canadian cities I included). At that time Des Moines was the smallest AAA city, with 443,000 people.
Here are the ten cities within 25,000 people of Reno (at that time, I realize that Reno is growing, probably more quickly than most of these).

Who would move into Lynchburg? They redid the stadium just 4 years ago.

In the 2000 census data, the Reno MSA was listed with a population of 339,486. It's now up over 400,000 according to the most recent estimates. But that still puts it in the range of an AA market, rather than an AAA market.

-- MWE

Who would move into Lynchburg?

High-A affiliate openings: Lancaster (CAL, Boston), High Desert (CAL, Seattle), Inland Empire (CAL, Dodgers), San Jose (CAL, Giants), Lynchburg (CAR, Pittsburgh), Salem (CAR, Houston), Winston-Salem (CAR, White Sox), Fort Myers (FSL, Minnesota). Of those, Salem/Boston is a certainty, Inland Empire/LA and San Jose/SF are near locks, and Fort Myers/Twins is highly likely to happen. So that leaves 2 Cal League franchises (Lancaster, HD) and two Carolina League franchises (Lynchburg, WS) for Pittsburgh, Houston, the White Sox, and Seattle. You would think that the Astros and Mariners would take the two Cal League slots and the Pirates and White Sox the two Carolina slots, but from what I know the Astros really don't want to go to the Cal League.

The answer to the question, I think, is either the Astros or the White Sox. But the Pirates might very well end up back there. Winston-Salem is getting a new ballpark which is being managed by Mandalay (the same company that owns or manages Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Dayton, and Staten Island, among others) and that will make the Warthogs a potentially attractive team for someone.

-- MWE

Not news, but the Royals officially re-upped with Omaha. With the Braves leaving Richmond, the Omaha Royals are the longest current serving franchise affiliation in the same city, having served as the top Royals affiliate since 1969.

Nationals have re-upped with both Hagerstown and Vermont.

With the Braves leaving Richmond, the Omaha Royals are the longest current serving franchise affiliation in the same city, having served as the top Royals affiliate since 1969.

That's at AAA. The Orioles have been in Bluefield longer.

-- MWE

With Hagerstown resigning with the Nationals, and the Brewers all but certain to head for Appleton, that leaves pretty much three affiliations at low-A undetermined: Hickory (Pirates), Savannah (Mets), and West Virginia (Brewers) in the SAL, and three teams (Bucs, Mets, and Mariners) who need affiliates.

-- MWE

Reading has been with the Phillies since 1967, and Lakeland with the Tigers since 1967. I don't know anything about the non-East Coast leagues, don't have time to check.

Is this a fair assessment of the likelihoods of Triple-A pairings?

Buffalo: (1) Jays; (2) Mets
Columbus: (1) Indians
Syracuse: (1) Mets; (2) Nationals? Marlins?
Albuquerque: (1) Dodgers; (2) Marlins
Las Vegas: (1a) Nationals; (1b) Marlins; (2) Jays
New Orleans: (1a) Marlins; (1b) Nationals; (2) Jays

Buffalo seems to be the key decision. If they go with the Jays (as expected) the pieces seem to fall into place much easier than if the Mets end up in Buffalo.

It seems to have worked out that the Marlins just get stuck with a AAA team that is incredibly far away and inconvenient. At least Albuquerque is better than when they were in Calgary. And New Orleans would be virtually Boca Raton by comparison with Albuquerque.

Is this a fair assessment of the likelihoods of Triple-A pairings?

Pretty much.

-- MWE

Is the Orlando MSA still the largest in America with no pro ball?
(Or does Daytona Beach count in that?)

Is the Orlando MSA still the largest in America with no pro ball?
(Or does Daytona Beach count in that?)

Daytona Beach does not count in that. Kissimmee does, and the Astros still have spring training there, but AFAIK that's the only affiliated pro ball in the MSA.

-- MWE

It appears that the Orlando MSA just barely avoids including either Daytona Beach or Brevard County, thus including no affiliated pro teams since the disappearance of the Orlando Rays and the FSL Astros affiliate. Although the Astros still do spring training there. Why don't they go back to Kissimee and the FSL again, now that the Salem team dropped them for the Red Sox?

That's a very big area to have no affiliated teams. And unlike, say, El Paso or Reno or Tucson, the travel expenses wouldn't be immense if the Southern League returned to Orlando.

#17:

You mean there won't be any AAA ball in Tucson, next year?

When I left Orlando three years ago, there was talk of renovating Tinker Field, which is next to the Citrus Bowl.
Since then, a big tax package has passed to build the Magic a new arena and improve the football stadium. Not sure if fixing up Tinker is part of that package.

I ask because I have every intention of moving to Tucson by end of next year, and I was looking forward to attending Sidewinders games.

Guess I'll have to settle for college baseball, and the tink! of the aluminum bats.

You mean there won't be any AAA ball in Tucson, next year?
Nope.
There's been whispers of building a new facility in the Marana area, a booming area NW of Tucson, but I imagine Arizona's tanking economy has silenced that.

#67:

Man, that sucks.

I wasn't aware that Tucson's economy was tanking. I read something (in print) from 2007 that said Tucson was enjoying steady growth, but that could have been population growth.

Probably population growth.
Arizona led the way for the nation's housing bubble, and the crash has hit us hard.

By "in print," I meant "in print in an actual book."

#69:

So that's why housing seems so cheap there? I read that median housing price was barely over $201K. I live in Baltimore, where housing in most of the city is what I would consider affordable.

Of course, I also noticed that U of A was only paying their software developers around $40K.

Fill me in?

And unlike, say, El Paso or Reno or Tucson, the travel expenses wouldn't be immense if the Southern League returned to Orlando.

The Rays drew decently in their three games in Orlando in April, but the history of the area is that minor league baseball doesn't draw very well there.

-- MWE

If you look in Tucson's outskirts (Marana, for example), they're practically giving away homes.
Not sure what to say about the pay.

I've been reading that Tucson is developing an "aggressive" public transit program. Besides all the bike lanes, what's up with that?

Still, put a refurbished Tinker in the FSL and I bet they challenge for the league lead in attendance (which is more of an indictment of the FSL, I suppose).

The Rays drew decently in their three games in Orlando in April, but the history of the area is that minor league baseball doesn't draw very well there.
A few years ago (day after Ted Williams died, IIRC), I attended a game at Disney's complex, and I have to say it was the absolute worst atmosphere I have ever experienced.
Because the complex isn't near any dense population centers, unlike Tinker, it doesn't draw locals for ####. So, Disney gives free tix to the groups/teams using the Wide World of Sports complex. As they have no reason to go, aside from free seats, Disney tries to sell them on the Minor-League Experience, on 'roids. It's hard to explain, but imagine a game where the on-field action was a distant second in priorities to the between-innings crap.
Plus, it's hotter than hell with humid air ready to turn into dangerous thunderstorms at a moment's notice.
So, hearing attendance at O-Rays games sucked doesn't surprise me at all.

Somebody upthread mentioned AAA guys bailing for Asia. I've heard it said that the NPBL is about equivalent to AAA (or was it "AAAA"), so does it stand to reason that the average AAA player would have just as tough a time getting/keeping his same job in the NPBL?

Also, has anyone determined the equivalency of the KBO to American minor leagues?

Besides all the bike lanes, what's up with that?
Buses, I think. Tucson's not getting light rail, I know, but Phoenix's line opens in December.

At that time Des Moines was the smallest AAA city, with 443,000 people.

Colorado Springs is at 372,437. Don't know when it reached AAA, but it's there now.

I'm really hoping the Giants can get out of Dodd - any chance they get San Antonio Mike? Hell, LV would be great for an AA team, but that isn't happening.

Man, how does a dump like Colorado Springs keep an AAA team, and not Tucson? I was just in C-Springs for several days, I never even saw the bloody baseball stadium.

You'd could spend a month in the Old Pueblo (Tucson) and never see the stadium, either.
Then, when you're leaving in disgust and driving I-10 eastward, you'll see it.

Somebody upthread mentioned AAA guys bailing for Asia. I've heard it said that the NPBL is about equivalent to AAA (or was it "AAAA"), so does it stand to reason that the average AAA player would have just as tough a time getting/keeping his same job in the NPBL?

AAAA (though closer to AAA than MLB).
It's much tougher to get/keep a job in NPB, due to restrictions on foreigners and (generalizing) an intolerance toward their expensive imports doing poorly.

My understanding is that the Disney park itself is pretty nice, apart from the near impossibility of getting people to go plus high prices (something to do with union contracts, if I recall).

Dodd may not be too long for AA, but we'll see.

Colorado Springs in AAA predates the Rox (I remember Luis Medina playing there for a Cleveland affiliate)...

any chance they get San Antonio Mike?

None. The Missions have already resigned with San Diego.

Dodd may not be too long for AA, but we'll see.

The reports are that Connecticut will get first crack at Richmond.

-- MWE

Update on Syracuse. The Mets are apparently interested in buying a piece of the team.

-- MWE

I ask because I have every intention of moving to Tucson by end of next year, and I was looking forward to attending Sidewinders games.

Guess I'll have to settle for college baseball, and the tink! of the aluminum bats.

Hey, it's only a couple hour drive to the AFL and there will still be ST here.

I just moved to Tucson in May and I doubt I would have had any idea where the AAA stadium was if my fiancee's job didn't require us to go right past it. I would think it'd do a lot better in Marana...

Update on Syracuse. The Mets are apparently interested in buying a piece of the team.

-- MWE

I sense it's a bit of a "take it or leave it" offer to Chiefs management, specifically owner Tex Simone, who apparently doesn't want to give up control of the franchise. Otherwise, the Mets will go to Buffalo and the Chiefs would have to choose between Washington and Florida.

Editorial from the Syracuse Post-Standard.

-- MWE

Buffalo News article on the choice between the Mets and Blue Jays. Good summary of the situation.

-- MWE

Florida and Milwaukee are looking at a possible affiliation with Connecticut, according to the Norwich Bullletin. The Giants definitely want out of Dodd. The Brewers want out of Huntsville because of the deteriorating conditions at Joe Davis.

-- MWE

Wow....somehow I did not realize that "Connecticut" was the exact same thing as "Norwich". Having never actually heard of the city of Norwich outside the baseball context, I subconsciously must have thought "Norwich" was in Virginia or somewhere, and then moved to Connecticut to become "Connecticut".

Fort Myers has renewed with Minnesota through 2010.

Seattle also renewed their PDCs with Pulaski and Everett.

-- MWE

New York Daily News reports

The Mets are leaving New Orleans and the New York Daily News is reporting they expect to sign a deal with the Bisons later this week that will be announced in a news conference here next Monday. Sources confirm to The Buffalo News the Mets are the Bisons' top choice although the team denied that Monday.

So what happens now? Three pegs (Florida, Toronto, Washington), three holes (Las Vegas, New Orleans, Syracuse). If the Chiefs want no part of the Jays again, do they go with the Nats? Do the Marlins make a push for New Orleans, which may be in the PCL but is closer than Albuquerque? And does Toronto become the odd team out, winding up in Vegas?

That would seem the most likely scenario to me. New Orleans is significantly closer to Miami than Syracuse or Albuquerque/Las Vegas (depending upon what the Dodgers actually do). If the Jays return to Syracuse is a non-starter, that would leave the Nationals the only other option

Finally, it would make the long-dreamed-of notion of relegation and promotion theoretically possible, though still incredibly unlikely, instead of completely impossible. If the management at Sacramento gets really smart, and now that all their moves aren't dictated for the good of the Oakland A's, they put together a roster that wins 70% of its games and every starter and several of the pitchers are in demand by MLB teams, some sportswriters will say "How come we can't see how this team would do against the major leagues?"

I really, really can't see relegation ever happening. The Mariners have a good chance of being the worst team this year. How do they not go bankrupt with their $116 million payroll on AAA revenues? What about an otherwise good team that gets really unlucky with injuries one year. Does anyone want to see Pujols, ARod, or hanley Ramirez in AAA for a year?

OK, so you base relegation on some weighted 3 year average record to prevent flukes. Then, instead of an incentive to compete, it does just the opposite. Will the Pirates and Royals and the Marlins try to boost payroll to avoid relegation, or will they divest themselves of anyone guaranteed to make more than the minimum next year so as to avoid an unservicable payroll?

Syracuse Post-Standard article. The Post-Standard's Matt Michael is very good.

If the Chiefs want no part of the Jays again, do they go with the Nats? Do the Marlins make a push for New Orleans, which may be in the PCL but is closer than Albuquerque? And does Toronto become the odd team out, winding up in Vegas?

I would think that the Chiefs' preferences, in order, are: (1) Nats, (2) Marlins, (3) Jays

-- MWE

According to the Miami Herald, the Marlins are headed to New Orleans

The Marlins are expected to move their Triple A affiliate from Albuquerque, N.M., to New Orleans next season. The team will replace the Mets affiliate in New Orleans. The Mets are moving to Buffalo, N.Y. The Dodgers are moving their Triple A team from Las Vegas to Albuquerque. The New Orleans location will make it easier to move players to and from Triple A.

That would leave Washington & Toronto to match up with Syracuse & Las Vegas with the most likely pairings of Nats & Chiefs and Jays & 51s

Latest from Syracuse. The Chiefs are playing strictly by the book in waiting until 12:01 AM Thursday, but I suspect it's too little, too late.

-- MWE

From #99, this quote astounds me:

"We're going to have the Blue Jays, the Marlins, the Nationals or maybe even the Brewers come here," Simone said.

The Brewers are signed with Nashville through 2010. Why in the world would Simone even bring that possibility out in the open and risk a tampering charge?

-- MWE