This came up the other day so......
Eastern League (Double-A)
PDCs expiring after 2008 season: 5.
Akron Aeros - Indians (2008)
Altoona Curve - Pirates (2010)
Binghamton Mets - Mets (2010)
Bowie Baysox - Orioles (2010)
Connecticut Defenders - Giants (2008)
Erie SeaWolves - Detroit (2010)
Harrisburg Senators - Nationals (2010)
New Britain Rock Cats - Twins (2008)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats - Blue Jays (2012)
Portland Sea Dogs - Red Sox (2012)
Reading Phillies - Phillies (2008)
Trenton Thunder - Yankees (2008)
Southern League (Double-A)
PDCs expiring after 2008 season: 6
Birmingham Barons - White Sox (2010)
Carolina Mudcats - Marlins (2008)
Chattanooga Lookouts - Reds (2008)
Huntsville Stars - Brewers (2008)
Jacksonville Suns - Dodgers (2008)
Mississippi Braves - Braves (owned by Atlanta)
Mobile BayBears - Arizona (2008)
Montgomery Biscuits - Rays (2010)
Tennessee Smokies - Cubs (2012)
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx - Mariners (2008)
Texas League (Double-A)
PDCs expiring after 2008 season: 3
Arkansas Travelers - Angels (2008)
Corpus Christi Hooks - Astros (2010)
Frisco RoughRiders - Rangers (2010)
Midland RockHounds - Athletics (2012)
San Antonio Missions - Padres (2008)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals - Royals (2008)
Springfield Cardinals - Cardinals (owned by St. Louis)
Tulsa Drillers - Rockies (2010)
Source for this is Baseball America.
In the EL I don't see Akron, N.B., Reading or Trenton changing teams. I sure do see Connecticut changing teams. So where's the swap?
posted by greg8370 at 11:14 PM
6 Comments:
I hope it's SF or any other org., as long as it's AA or AAA.
2:29 AM
i cant see the agreement being continued, but it all depends if the giants can find another home, which doesnt look all that likely right now
have to wait and see
4:51 AM
It doesn't matter if SF has a place to go, all that matters is that CT has a team coming in to Norwich. At the end of it all, Minor League cities and Major League teams that don't have partnerships that they have agreed to will simply be "placed". This whole process of changing affiliates is very touchy. MiLB has a very stiff fine for organizations that are found to be "tampering" with other affiliates relationships. Bottom line is that unless it is the Giants and Defenders re-upping for another 2 or 4 years, you won't hear for sure until late September or early October.
Now, as far as who would be coming in....you obviously can only look at the ones who are up after 2008. I agree Greg, those other teams in the EL, I don't see the affiliations changing. Reading, Akron, and Trenton all have great relationships with their MLB affiliate, as well as great geographic situations. The NB thing is interesting to me. I am surprised it has not been renewed yet, to be honest. Minn. has been there for a while, and I know that they guys in NB do a great job. I'd be surprised to see that change as well. That leaves teams from other leagues....the first thing you would look at would be a great partner geographically. None of the expiring PDCs really equate to what I would consider a "great" geograhic partner (although the argument can be made that most are better, geographically, than the current partnership). Of the teams who are left, I just don't see one which stands out as a "fans would go wild for this partnership" team...lots of Mid-west and West-coast possibilities, but that doesn't enhance the current geographic situation too much.
That leaves me looking at places that teams may want to get out of (as harsh as it sounds). The two that jump out at me are Jacksonville and West Tenn. West Tenn has been a tough place to play for the past 10 years or so (tough ownership, tough financial situation, etc), and the Mariners have played in the EL before...Jacksonville is interesting, great facility, great fan support, great situation, but the Dodgers and the ownership have butt heads in the past and LA is bringing everything over to the West Coast (moved low A affiliate from Columbus, GA last season and the Dodgers are leaving Vero Beach and bringing their Spring Training west as well). The Dodgers are a good organization, lots of good people, but based on their recent trends, it doesn't sound like they would be looking to move more Northeast if they make a change.
The Marlins also have a history of being in the EL (Portland from 1994-2003), but when the Sea Dogs opted not to renew in hopes to obtain a relationship with the Red Sox, the Marlins made an effort to get closer to Florida (they'd make a huge push for Jacksonville should LA leave).
Also, getting a AAA team to Norwich is not, currently, and option either. Per MiLB territorial rules, I believe the Norwich area is "controlled" by the PawSox. MiLB and the PawSox would have to sign off, allowing this to happen (possibly even the Eastern League....there are so many moving parts, sometimes I get confused).
Should be interesting to see how it all pans out.
9:13 AM
Joe - just to confirm, West Tenn is the Mariners, not Marlins. FLA is with the Mudcats now and are going to stay there unless, as you point out, they get a shot at Jacksonville.
The only Texas League relationship that might open up is Arkansas. While the Angels certainly have better talent in the organization than the Giants (getting a chance to see Hank Conger play would be reason enough to hope the Angels wound up here), they're not going to be any more interested in having to trek 12 hours to get here than the Giants are. The org that might be a fit is Milwaukee, who are currently in the pit of despair known as Huntsville. They'd actually be able to get here with nonstop flights, would have the advantage of cold-weather prep for their prospects... and wouldn't have to deal with Huntsville any more.
That said, if the Defenders opt out of their agreement, they're probably going to wind up with whatever team is left standing after the music stops, not a club that really has any desire to work with them.
10:23 PM
sf:
Just so you know, it is Jim...not Joe...but you would have no way of knowing that. Yeah, I knew it was the Mariners in West Tenn and the Marlins in Carolina (I just didn't refer to Carolina in the e-mail - you had me worried that I had made that mistake), I was just bringing up two different examples of teams that had been in the EL before. I didn't realize that Huntsville had gotten so bad..never really looked at it I guess. This is the part of the business that I miss a lot, all of the behind the scenes stuff.
2:27 PM
Jb--if you read this please drop me an email
gfogg@ct.metrocast.net
thanks--greg
12:00 AM
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