According to the New York Daily News
Buffalo is expected to hold a press conference next Monday to announce it has become the Mets’ new Triple-A affiliate, replacing New Orleans, the Daily News has learned.
What does that mean for the Nationals?
The Nats, Marlins, Dodgers and Blue Jays would be the remaining unaffiliated teams in Triple-A with Syracuse, New Orleans, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas as the available cities.
The Dodgers are reportedly headed back to Albuquerque after a brief stay in Las Vegas.
From all that has been reported, it appears the Jays and Syracuse would be highly unlikely to extend an agreement. The Chiefs management is reportedly frustrated with the quality of the team the Jays have had in Syracuse. Over the course of their 31-year partnership, they have made only five playoff appearances and suffered through 23 losing seasons.
That would leave the Nats and Marlins as the remaining options. From a proximity point of view, a partnership with the Nats makes the most sense with New Orleans opting for the Marlins.
That would leave the Jays with Las Vegas.
Teams can officially begin negotiations for new affiliates today.
Hat tip to Charles, a new reader, who pointed this information out to me
#1 by WFY - September 16th, 2008 at 09:01
Syracuse, while not ideal, is certainly the most attractive AAA city left. It is also about 250 miles away from AA Harrisburg on I-81.
There used to be a Syracuse Nationals NBA team. They became the 76ers.
#2 by Positively Half St - September 16th, 2008 at 09:23
I concur that Syracuse would be the best choice. Also, with my sister in Syracuse, I might see them up there.
#3 by BristowNats - September 16th, 2008 at 09:38
And I would get to see them in Norfolk while visiting family in Va Bch.
Gee…Richmond would be a great spot for a team.
#4 by estuartj - September 16th, 2008 at 09:41
Wow, that a big switch-up, didn’t expect the Jays to be the odd man out.
Syracuse vs Columbus is a wash…:ow long would the contract be this time?
#5 by MO Nats Fan - September 16th, 2008 at 09:47
Has Memphis signed an extension with St. Louis? I keep hearing rumors of a potential change for the Cards from Memphis to New Orleans.
#6 by BristowNats - September 16th, 2008 at 09:58
Memphis & St L is a done deal.
PDAs can go for 2 years or 4 years. Harrisburg & Potomac are under 4yr agreements.
#7 by Nate - September 16th, 2008 at 10:03
No love for Vegas? Just think of Meathook on rehab at the Bellagio buffet. The mind reels.
#8 by Pilchard - September 16th, 2008 at 10:19
Cuse makes the most sense. That said, the Nats’ AAA players will be pretty miserable trying play games up there in April.
#9 by Mark L - September 16th, 2008 at 10:36
Richmond would be ideal, citywise, but it would take a lot of creativity on the Nats part. They would have to buy a franchise and be willing to spend a lot of the money to build a new stadium. Maybe after a year without baseball, the populace might be more agreeable. That doesn’t help any this year.
#10 by DMan - September 16th, 2008 at 14:48
Dang, I was so hoping for Buffalo with so many relatives of mine living up there. Guess we can’t bring Dunn Tire Park wings down to Taste of the Majors (and Minors) afterall. That said, I agree ‘cuse is the best remaining option, so let’s hope Nats FO gets creacking lest we be marooned to Las Vegas and the revolutionary Bellagio buffet diabetes rehab center. Nate, that really was a great line!
#11 by DMan - September 16th, 2008 at 15:01
Can’t resist another thought. I think that pursuing Richmond for the long term makes so much sense, though as we all know a lot would need to happen. Here’s the oddball thought since I admit I know little about minor league ownership rules and regs. Harrisburg is a convenient location What could be the possibility of upping Harrisburg to AAA in the future?
#12 by Sue Dinem - September 16th, 2008 at 15:26
Two chances: nil and none.
#13 by Terry Byrom - September 16th, 2008 at 15:27
I would never say 0% chance of Harrisburg becoming AAA, so I’ll say not much of a chance for multiple reasons.
Hopefully the Nats and Syracuse are talking right now, I’ll guess we’ll see.
#14 by MO Nats Fan - September 16th, 2008 at 18:53
Any idea why the Mets wanted Buffalo instead of Syracuse? The CW was that the Jays would get Buffalo and the Mets would get Syracuse, the Mets going for Buffalo makes you wonder what is wrong with Syracuse (or am I being too pessimistic?).
#15 by estuartj - September 16th, 2008 at 18:55
If you had ever been to Syracuse you would understand.
Buffalo is the French Riviera in comparison.
#16 by Mark L - September 16th, 2008 at 19:02
Actually, the reason is that Syracuse is a community owned team. You’re dealing with over 3900 owners and the Mets wanted to be able to buy a lot of them out to make it easier to work with. Syracuse said no and Buffalo has a better facility anyway.
#17 by estuartj - September 16th, 2008 at 19:33
The best thing about Buffalo’s facility is that its not in Syracuse.
#18 by Jane - September 17th, 2008 at 05:26
The chance of Harrisburg going AAA probably “went out the window” a couple of years ago, when the Governor was willing to give Harrisburg money for upgrading their stadium to AAA for Baltimore’s AAA team. Harrisburg is still waiting for the Governor/Legislature to release the money for upgrade to a AA stadium.
#19 by DMan - September 17th, 2008 at 19:42
Thank you Jane. Had a feeling there might be ballpark issues in Harrisburg, but, not knowing the situation there I didn’t want to speculate in my original comment.