BBTF's Notes in a Minor Key Discussion :: The Postseason Begins…and so does the affiliation shuffle

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

The Postseason Begins…and so does the affiliation shuffle

The full-season league postseasons open with a playoff game in the Cal League tonight. Rancho Cucamonga forced a one-game playoff for the final postseason slot with a 5-3 win over Inland Empire Monday night.

The Indians made it official; they will be leaving Buffalo after 14 years with the Bisons, likely to affiliate with Columbus. The Mets and Blue Jays are looking at Buffalo; my guess is that the Jays and Bisons hook up, with the Mets moving in behind the Blue Jays in Syracuse.

In the PCL, Portland re-upped with San Diego. There have been rumblings that the Cardinals and Memphis would be parting ways, since the owners of the Memphis franchise declined to re-up earlier this year. The Cardinals did put a competitive team there this year, however, which might ease the way to a new relationship. New Orleans will come open, with the Mets leaving, and the relationship between the Mariners and Tacoma has been strained this year, so there could be a shift there. The Nationals will be looking after being forced out of Columbus, and while they really don’t want to go back to New Orleans they may once again have to take what’s available.

September 18 marks the beginning of the negotiation period, and the only certain thing is that there will be some changes.

Mike Emeigh Posted: September 02, 2008 at 04:44 PM | 156 comment(s)
Related News: Minor Leagues, Cleveland, NY Mets, San Diego, Seattle, St Louis, Toronto, Washington

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101. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 11:40 AM (#2944857)

I missed this a while back:

West Tenn resigns with Mariners.

-- MWE

102. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 11:47 AM (#2944865)

Savannah has resigned with the Mets.

-- MWE

103. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 11:50 AM (#2944869)

PCL champion Sacramento won the Bricktown Showdown (the AAA championship game) for the second straight year, defeating IL champ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 4-1 as the River Cats used six pitchers to hold down the Yankees' offense. Ian Kennedy took the loss for S/WB.

-- MWE

104. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 12:10 PM (#2944892)

Cardinals buying Memphis franchise.

-- MWE

105. The Politics of Torre: How the HOF Really Works Posted: September 17, 2008 at 12:44 PM (#2944927)

Crispix, Norwich isn't really that big of a town. It is near New London and the two casinos. Growing up, it was where the freeway to the beach ended and you had to take surface streets the rest of the way.

106. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 03:41 PM (#2945122)

According to Ballpark Digest, the Jays are likely to stay in Syracuse while the Nats head for Las Vegas.

-- MWE

107. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 04:51 PM (#2945216)

Pirates have made it official, signing with West Virginia for two years and moving out of Hickory.

-- MWE

108. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 17, 2008 at 07:43 PM (#2945427)

Huntsville and Brewers back together.

-- MWE

109. Brian Oliver Posted: September 18, 2008 at 09:44 AM (#2946059)

#106 - Is that based upon his opinion or something more than that? Everything I've read makes it appear Syracuse is not going to take Toronto back.

110. Torn_cuff Posted: September 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM (#2946082)

Well the high end prospects were great....but ba-bye Reds...

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/sep/17/chattanooga-lookouts-team-dodgers/?sports

Dodgers move AA to Chattanooga

111. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 10:09 AM (#2946094)

Everything I've read makes it appear Syracuse is not going to take Toronto back.

Well, that's what I've heard, too. But if the alternative is the Nationals, Toronto might suddenly become attractive.

-- MWE

112. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 10:10 AM (#2946095)

Marlins moving to Jacksonville.

-- MWE

113. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 10:24 AM (#2946110)

So that means that Carolina and Connecticut are left unaffiliated at AA, with the Reds and Giants still looking.

-- MWE

114. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 10:32 AM (#2946116)

Low A openings: Clinton (MWL) and Hickory (SAL), with the Mariners and Rangers still looking.

-- MWE

115. Brian Oliver Posted: September 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM (#2946117)

As of today, the following are still pending official notifications

International League
Buffalo Bisons - Mets
Columbus Clippers - Indians
Syracuse Chiefs - Jays or Nats?

Pacific Coast League (AAA)
Albuquerque Isotopes - Dodgers
Las Vegas 51s - Jays or Nats?
New Orleans Zephyrs - Marlins

Eastern League (AA)
Connecticut Defenders - Giants
Trenton Thunder - Yankees

Southern League (AA)
Carolina Mudcats - Reds? [last team standing]

California League (A - Advanced)
High Desert Mavericks - Mariners?
Lancaster JetHawks - Astros?
Inland Empire 66ers - Dodgers?
San Jose Giants - Giants?

Carolina League (A - Advanced)
Lynchburg Hillcats - Pirates?
Salem Avalanche - Red Sox
Winston-Salem Warthogs - White Sox?

Midwest League (A)
Clinton Lumber Kings - stay with Rangers? Mariners?
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers - Brewers

South Atlantic League (A)
Hickory Crawdads - Mariners or Rangers?

NY-Penn League (A - Short Season)
Jamestown Jammers - Marlins

Northwest League (A - Short Season)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes - Giants

Pioneer League (Rookie - Short Season)
Idaho Falls Chukars - Royals

116. Dolf Lucky Posted: September 18, 2008 at 11:05 AM (#2946135)

1) Thanks for putting this together and keeping this going.

2) I know the number of unaffiliated teams and open slots make the Reds going to Connecticut a possibility by default, but does anyone know if the Reds have expressed any interest in the Eastern League? I'd love to see them back in the EL...

3) I go to more games at Dodd Stadium than anywhere else, and it seems clear that it doesn't do nearly well as--for example--New Britain. My question is, how much does this hurt the parent organization? I guess my perception that all minor league teams were independently owned, so there would be no financial impact to the MLB club one way or the other. Is this untrue?

117. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 12:43 PM (#2946301)

Dolf:

You're welcome. This is one of my favorite times of year, every other year - I love this stuff :)

AFAIK, the Reds have not expressed any interest in going back to the EL. Cincy's first choice was always to remain in Chattanooga. I expect that the Mudcats will make a *strong* pitch to get the Reds here - given Carolina's experiences with the Rockies I seriously doubt that they want another affiliation with a West Coast team - and Connecticut and the Giants could wind up with another two-year marriage of mutual inconvenience. The main reason Carolina *might* opt for the Giants is that Madison Bumgarner will likely be at AA very soon, and the Giants lower-level prospects look like they are better than Cincy's.

Major league teams aren't hurt much financially when minor league teams don't draw - the terms of the PDC pretty much limits their exposure - but they look at it as a developmental issue when their prospects have to play before small and disinterested crowds.

-- MWE

118. Brian Oliver Posted: September 18, 2008 at 02:09 PM (#2946421)

Clippers and Indians officially agree to 4-year deal

119. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 07:25 PM (#2946890)

Pirates extend two years with Lynchburg. Most likely a no-alternative deal for the Hillcats.

-- MWE

120. MM1f Posted: September 18, 2008 at 07:26 PM (#2946892)

Damn.
Marlins to Jacksonville?

Well that sucks.

121. MM1f Posted: September 18, 2008 at 07:34 PM (#2946910)

It is also sad to see the Chatt/Reds partnership come to an end.

I'm not sure who would be better for the Mudcats between Giants and Reds, I guess I would prefer the Reds but Mike does bring up the point that it would be fun to see Bumgarner in Zebulon. Not only is he super-duper but he is from the state as well.
Getting to see Bumgarner and Alderson as a 1-2 punch would be nice.

Mike, you mention the Giants low-level prospects being good helping them land the Mudcats.
From the Mudcats, or any minor league teams perspective, how much does it matter to them to be sent "good prospects" rather than just good player. Older, no-ceiling minor league vets are often the kind of guys that lead minor league teams to winning years. Winning obviously helps attendance some, though I assume far less on the minor league level since (i think) more fans come who don't know anything about the team just to have a night at the ballpark.
I don't think us baseball die-hards who would go to a minor league game just to see a couple hot prospects play change the attendance figures much.
So I guess my question is, does it help minor league teams to have winning, prospect-laden teams any more than it would to have a winning, vet-laden team?

122. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 07:44 PM (#2946922)

So I guess my question is, does it help minor league teams to have winning, prospect-laden teams any more than it would to have a winning, vet-laden team?

I think it does. Minor-league cities love to talk about their former players in the majors.

-- MWE

123. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 07:44 PM (#2946923)

More Syracuse. Nats come to visit.

-- MWE

124. MM1f Posted: September 18, 2008 at 07:50 PM (#2946933)

Fair point. I wasn't thinking about it like that.

On that note, it has always befuddled me that the Bulls have only had one Hall of Famer play for them despite all the years they have been around.
I guess that number should go up in the next several years with Chipper and (maybe, who knows anymore) Andruw being inducted but it still seems awful low. I wonder how many HOFers your typical a-ball/class D has had over the last 50 years.

125. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 09:08 PM (#2946995)

The Dodgers, in addition to moving to Albuquerque and Chattanooga, renewed their PDC with Inland Empire.

-- MWE

126. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 18, 2008 at 09:16 PM (#2946999)

Here's one for 2010:

The Reds are moving their spring training site from Sarasota to Arizona in 2010. Like most teams in the FSL, they own their High-A affiliate in that league. The Red Sox are reportedly considering moving in. Boston owns the High-A team in Salem, so they likely won't want an FSL affiliate. That will leave a hole in the FSL. Would the Astros bring FSL baseball back to Kissimmee? Will the Orioles, who train in Ft. Lauderdale, consider abandoning their relationship with Frederick to move down south? And what about Bob?

-- MWE

127. Brian Oliver Posted: September 19, 2008 at 10:11 AM (#2947306)

Unrequited love can be so sad

"We'll see if Syracuse is an option. Obviously, they've got to want us, too," Ricciardi said

128. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 19, 2008 at 08:36 PM (#2948087)

Mets have confirmed Buffalo.

Salem signs a two-year deal with Boston (no shock there).

The Mudcats met with the Giants yesterday and the Reds today. They expect to make an announcement next week.

-- MWE

129. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 19, 2008 at 08:39 PM (#2948092)

The Marlins to New Orleans move isn't a done deal yet. Florida's management is meeting with Syracuse over the weekend.

-- MWE

130. Brian Oliver Posted: September 20, 2008 at 05:51 PM (#2948789)

Syracuse and Nats agree to 2-year deal

131. kevin Posted: September 20, 2008 at 05:55 PM (#2948791)

Finally, the Nats are back in Syracuse.

132. Brian Oliver Posted: September 21, 2008 at 11:43 AM (#2949233)

New Orleans & Florida agree.

That leaves Las Vegas & Toronto left as the last ones standing

133. jwb Posted: September 21, 2008 at 12:28 PM (#2949246)

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".

Two of my uncles attended Norwich College, a military school in Vermont. I assumed Norwich changed its name to Vermont because hardly anybody knew where Norwich was.

134. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 21, 2008 at 09:09 PM (#2949625)

Interesting article on the Connecticut situation. Everyone *knows* the Yankees aren't leaving Trenton, but it's been nearly three weeks since Mark Newman said the deal was nearly done, and yet it isn't done.

-- MWE

135. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 22, 2008 at 07:47 PM (#2950493)

Mariners to Clinton, Rangers to Hickory.

-- MWE

136. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 22, 2008 at 07:49 PM (#2950494)

Jays to Vegas for two years, as expected. The 51s aren't too happy about it.

-- MWE

137. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 22, 2008 at 07:52 PM (#2950498)

Astros to Lancaster. Initial two-year deal with an automatic two-year renewal following 2009.

-- MWE

138. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 22, 2008 at 08:04 PM (#2950510)

Trenton's called a press conference for Wednesday, at which they are expected to announce the renewal of their PDC with the Yankees.

Joe Perez, the Norwich Bulletin's beat reporter, posted a blog entry last week in which he said that (a) he felt the Reds would be there but (b) the Giants might still win out. Talk about noncommittal.

My guess - Giants here, Reds to Norwich.

-- MWE

139. Dolf Lucky Posted: September 22, 2008 at 10:28 PM (#2950744)

My guess - Giants here, Reds to Norwich.

I understand I'm one of maybe 3 people in the world to feel this way, but...WOOHOO!

Yonder Alonso ought to be in AA next year, no? And Chris Heisey, on his quest to be the first Messiah College (my alma mater) alum to make the bigs. Also Todd Frazier and Juan Francisco.

Gotta be better than the ugliness that the Giants have been throwing out there...

140. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 23, 2008 at 12:50 PM (#2951281)

Joe Perez's latest. He's now leaning Giants, with an announcement expected tomorrow.

-- MWE

141. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 23, 2008 at 12:57 PM (#2951293)

Yankees back to Trenton.

-- MWE

142. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 23, 2008 at 09:25 PM (#2952109)

The Giants have some talent in the lower minors, as well. Posey, Pucetas, and Alderson will be at AA next year, and Bumgarner might also move quickly; they might not want to expose him in the Cal League for very long.

-- MWE

143. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 24, 2008 at 11:12 AM (#2952734)

Brewers and Wisconsin sign for 4 years.

-- MWE

144. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 24, 2008 at 04:07 PM (#2953174)

Thunder extends for six years with Yankees.

145. sardonic Posted: September 24, 2008 at 04:12 PM (#2953183)

So I have kind of a stupid question: All these agreements are just with stadia/cities, right? How much of a team's staff goes with a team when it moves? For example the equipment manager or PR perosn or bullpen catchers, for that matter?

146. MM1f Posted: September 24, 2008 at 04:24 PM (#2953198)

So I have kind of a stupid question: All these agreements are just with stadia/cities, right

Nope. With franchises.
Minor league teams are, usually, independent companies. The Braves own most of their minor league affiliates, the BoSox just bought one and some of the FSL teams own their teams there but probably 90% of minor league teams are independent companies.
The agreements are between the MLB teams and the minor league teams.

147. MM1f Posted: September 24, 2008 at 04:27 PM (#2953203)

To answer a little more..
The baseball personnel (coaches, and I think trainers too) stay within the organization and move to wherever the organization says while the business side people (GMs, PR, ect) are employees of the minor league team and stay and keep on doing the same jobs they've been doing for the same team who is just affiliated with a different org now

148. Bull Pain Posted: September 24, 2008 at 04:54 PM (#2953240)

Trainers are part of the major league organization like the coaches.

149. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 25, 2008 at 09:56 AM (#2954600)

Mariners renew with High Desert. Not a big surprise, at this point; there really wasn't anywhere else for them to go.

-- MWE

150. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 26, 2008 at 09:06 AM (#2956514)

Giants back to Connecticut. Which means the Reds are coming to Carolina.

-- MWE

151. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 26, 2008 at 09:08 AM (#2956516)

From the article I linked above, it appears that both the Reds and Giants preferred a Mudcats' affiliation, which is what I thought (but couldn't confirm with anyone).

-- MWE

152. Dolf Lucky Posted: September 26, 2008 at 09:52 AM (#2956567)

Crap. I assume this means the writing is officially on the wall for Norwich as a AA franchise?

153. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 26, 2008 at 07:40 PM (#2957494)

I assume this means the writing is officially on the wall for Norwich as a AA franchise?

It is considered likely that the Connecticut franchise will be moving south in 2010. The scenarios involve either a move directly to Richmond, or to Bowie (with the Baysox owners then taking over Richmond).

-- MWE

154. Rafael Bellylard (p8p) Posted: September 26, 2008 at 08:11 PM (#2957525)

It was mentioned earlier, but there is a real hole in Florida with no minor-league team in Orlando. There are parks in both Kissimmee and the one at Disney (which seems to be good enough for the Rays to make an annual regular-season visit).

Personally, I drive down to Lakeland for my baseball fix. Joker Marchant is a nice facility and my wife and I can drive down, buy good seats and eat at the park for about $35, gas included.

155. Mike Emeigh Posted: September 30, 2008 at 09:00 PM (#2961809)

Mariners seal deal with Clinton.

-- MWE

156. Harold Reynolds: An Erotic Life (AG#1F) Posted: October 03, 2008 at 01:18 PM (#2966357)

No surprise, Royals re-up with Idaho Falls

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Tuesday, September 02, 2008

The Postseason Begins…and so does the affiliation shuffle

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