But wouldn't this constitute illegal tampering?

[/rhetorical question]

Harry: That's bad news for my good buddy Pete Vonachen of the Peoria Chiefs.

Effing headline writers these days can't be bothered to read the actual article. The headline pretty clearly says Peoria is losing its team. Glad to find that's not actually the case.

Huh, the Royals just signed on with Kane County. Wonder we're they're headed - Peoria?

But wouldn't this constitute illegal tampering?

Technically, yes; the open period doesn't start until September 16. Practically, this kind of stuff happens all the time.

Peoria's been clobbered by the recession; their attendance has been way down over the last four years. Teams as a general rule don't like affiliating with ailing franchises, because they usually have to pump some money into the operations when that happens. That will not be an issue in Kane County.

-- MWE

Huh, the Royals just signed on with Kane County. Wonder we're they're headed - Peoria?

They could go back to Burlington or to Cedar Rapids or Clinton, all of whom have affilate deals expiring.

-- MWE

Isn't Burlington considered the worst stadium/city to be in the MWL? No offense to anyone from Burlington. I remember them at the bottom of the league in attendance quite a bit, and I have been to Burlington, its pretty small and dumpy, even by MWL standards.

Cool.

The headline pretty clearly says Peoria is losing its team. Glad to find that's not actually the case.

Yes. And I was wondering how Kane County could function as a two-team market...

Yes. And I was wondering how Kane County could function as a two-team market...

Well, it is growing rapidly. Aurora's now the second most populous city in the state. Naperville, just east, is fifth largest.

EDIT: Aurora's in Kane County, though the Cougars play in Geneva.

Well, it is growing rapidly. Aurora's now the second most populous city in the state.

Maybe the games could be aired on that popular cable access channel they have there.

OK so someone explain exactly how this works. Do the players for the Chiefs now become members of the Kane County Cougars, or are the Cougars moving out and we'll now have the Kane County Chiefs, or...?

Maybe the games could be aired on that popular cable access channel they have there.

Excellent!

[3] Effing headline writers these days can't be bothered to read the actual article.

How about "Cubs Won't Play in Peoria"?

Word is the Royals (currently affiliated with Kane County) want to bounce to the Sally League.

Word is the Royals (currently affiliated with Kane County) want to bounce to the Sally League.

Don't know where; maybe Hickory, I guess. Greensboro is extremely likely to re-up with Miami, Lakewood with the Phillies, and Hagerstown with Washington. I'd also bet on Lexington being back with Houston. That leaves Hickory (Texas), Asheville (Colorado), and Savannah (Mets), and I can't see the Royals wanting either of the last two. Hickory and Texas have been together for four years but there's been some rumblings lately that the Crawdads are looking elsewhere.

Cedar Rapids has been with the Angels for 20 years, but the Kernels have been making noises about looking around as well. I would not be at all surprised to see the Royals end up there. In fact there could be a lot of changes in the Midwest League; the only solid arrangements at the moment are Dayton (Cincinnati), Great Lakes (Dodgers), Lake County (Cleveland), Lansing (Toronto, just re-upped), West Michigan (Detroit), and Wisconsin (Milwaukee), although I would expect Bowling Green to stay with the Rays. If St. Louis moves out of Quad Cities (another rumor that has been floating around), all heck could break loose.

-- MWE

If it wasn't for the fact that virtually all White Sox affiliates are in the Southeast and thus close for minor league instructors, they would be smart to put an affiliate in Peoria. Even with their success over the past decade, the Chisox are virtually invisible downstate, just as the Mets are in Connecticut.

If it wasn't for the fact that virtually all White Sox affiliates are in the Southeast and thus close for minor league instructors, they would be smart to put an affiliate in Peoria.

I've long thought that it would be smart for the White Sox to find a way to move a MWL team to the stadium in Gary.

I've long thought that it would be smart for the White Sox to find a way to move a MWL team to the stadium in Gary.

Unfortunately, it would then be located in Gary.

Unfortunately, it would then be located in Gary.

What, no nostalgia for the original neighborhood surrounding New Comiskey?

So ... they won't play in Peoria?

Unfortunately, it would then be located in Gary.

Well, OK, perhaps "smart" isn't quite the right word. Perhaps "appropriate" is a better fit.

I've long thought that it would be smart for the White Sox to find a way to move a MWL team to the stadium in Gary.

As a regular visitor to U.S. Steelyard, this would be acceptable.

Im surprised that they left south bend to begin with. They had a pretty good market there.

From Baseball America today:

Cubs-Kane County News Gets [MiLB's] Attention