The majority of clubs throughout Major League Baseball have already announced that they’ve renewed their player development contracts with their Triple-A affiliates, but there are still five clubs that don’t have a clear plan in place just yet. Notably, the Astros and the Fresno Grizzles announced yesterday that they will not be renewing their partnership. As MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart writes, that should pave the way for the ’Stros to land in Round Rock (where they previously had their Triple-A club for a decade). Astros president of business operations Reid Ryan said a return to Round Rock is “at the top of our list,” McTaggart notes, adding that the Ryan family owns the Round Rock Express.
That move, of course, would leave the Rangers searching for a new affiliate, though Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News wrote over the weekend that the Rangers could well end up in San Antonio, where a Triple-A franchise will be added as Colorado Springs loses its Triple-A designation (a move that’ll leave the Brewers, currently in Colorado Springs, looking for a new home as well). As Fraley explores, the facilities to which the Rangers could relocate in San Antonio are currently lacking, which could potentially prove detrimental in pursuing minor league free agents. However, sticking in Texas would come with greater marketing opportunities and a preexisting fan base from which to draw.
The Brewers, Nationals and Athletics are the three other clubs that are yet undecided on next year’s affiliations. The Nats will be seeking a new partner following the post-2017 announcement that the Mets had purchased the Syracuse Chiefs (securing a much-needed geographic upgrade over their current home in Las Vegas). The Athletics, in similar fashion, would reap significant geographic benefits by moving from their current home in Nashville to either Fresno or Las Vegas.
Betsy Helfand of the Las Vegas Journal-Review notes that the Nationals have expressed interest in moving to Nashville, while Bryant-Jon Anteola of the Fresno Bee suggests that the A’s would likely have their pick between Fresno and Las Vegas, as both would prefer to partner with the Athletics for geographic reasons, giving Oakland the advantage. That’ll present the A’s with the decision of whether to play in California or move to a newly constructed facility Vegas and seems likely to leave the Brewers with an even larger gap between their big league club and their top minor league affiliate, though they’ll be moving into improved facilities either way.
MetsYankeesRedSox
I’ll wear my Las Vegas 51s hat proudly.
tropicaldelivery
As will go to vegas theat leaves brewers going to fresno no fan base in colorado springs since thier rockies left
lasershow45
Maybe temp while they build a new stadium in Madison???
CCCTL
A’s are more likely to go Fresno than Vegas, as they want to separate themselves from the t(R)aito(de)rs as much as possible.
DirtbagBlues
A’s will go to whoever provides the best facilities. Given Vegas’ ballpark is brand new, that will likely be them. Unless, for some reason Vegas prefers a partnership with the Brewers.
CCCTL
It’s also 2-2.5 hrs by road to Fresno, vs 6-8 to Vegas.
While “best facilities” is a consideration, looking like they’re bailing to Vegas _just like the raiders_ is MUCH more likely to harm the fan base while completing their plans for a new ballpark in Oakland. It’d be a horrible PR move.
OverUnderDone
The Coliseum is literally two miles from the Oakland Airport. With a tram connecting it.
No need to drive to Vegas.
SoCalBrave
The last thing the A’s will consider when making a decision is what the Raiders do or did. It’s not bad PR either. It can easily be flipped to be positive, or threatening
hiflew
Dude, you really need to work on the spelling of your insult. It reads like gibberish. Might I suggest a simple (t)raiders. It gets the point across without giving people trying to read it vertigo.
SoCalBrave
you’re asking a Raider’s fan for subtlety? good luck!
vegasloveforthebills
Fully expecting Oakland to come to Vegas. And now they will be the A-viators.
dimitrios in la
Fresno is gorgeous!!! Great for morale—or, great for motivating a player to get the heck out and up to the Bigs!!
sascoach2003
It was also announced earlier in the month that the New Orleans AAA franchise would be relocating at the end of 2019 to Wichita, and that New Orleans would be trying to either secure a new AA Southern League team or acquire another AAA franchise (like Gwinett)
TheOtherMikeD
The Braves are not moving their AAA team from 30 minutes down the road to a 2 hour flight.
lowtalker1
Doesn’t matter what the braves want. It’s really what the ownership of the minor league franchise wants when the contract expires.
I’ve watched the padres triple a team move from Vegas to Portland to Tucson and now El Paso. When the contract is up it’s up unless the combo offers up something enticing.
Out of all the triple a teams. The Rockies and sky Sox not renewing their pact was a crying shame.
hiflew
The Rockies and CS parting ways actually made a lot of sense. Colorado Springs is about 2500 feet higher in elevation than Denver whereas Albuquerque is about the same elevation. The Rox were just skipping their top prospects past AAA. Now it gives the team a chance to see if young pitchers can handle pitching at elevation without having them on the big league roster.
Zach725
Do you really think Gwinnett would do any better by having a different affiliate? If anything it would probably hurt them because they lose the local braves fans who want to watch a prospect.
mpcincal
Actually, it matters greatly what the Braves want in this particular case, since the Braves ownership also owns the Gwinnett franchise.
Matt Galvin
San Antonio has the Missions Dodgers Double-A Team. Green Bay or Janesville for Brewers? Orlando,Columbia,MO,Topeka,St. Joseph,MO,Joplin,Tulsa,Fort Smith for a Team?
Tom E. Snyder
SA had the AA franchise of the Padres; the Dodgers AA team is Tulsa.
Matt Galvin
The Padres Double-A Team is in San Antonio know saw that. Thanks on Tulsa. Jonesboro?. KCK has T-bones but maybe another city in KC area a team?
mooshimanx
San Antonio is moving up up AAA so the Padres are likely getting a new AA affiliate.
lowtalker1
Yes down the road in armierlo (sp)
mooshimanx
Amarillo!
dvmwitt
Hey Padres, move the Missions to the Charlotte area. I’ll buy season tickets for sure!
bravesandcrewfan
Nashvilles switch from Brewers to A’s ruined their logo and mascot objectively of course. Maybe a switch to the nationals could fix it, but that’d mean I can’t root for my hometown team.
arc89
Sacramento made the mistake from going to the Giants from the A’s. Now their attendance went down and they get a bad AAA team to watch with very few future stars playing there.
cxcx
By objectively do you mean subjectively?
bravesandcrewfan
Sarcasm, actually. Yes I mean subjectively, but I also believe that the rooster is objectively bad. #JusticeforOzzie. There’s so many people around here that walk around in Sounds caps. Nashville could certainly handle an MLB team, but only if they kick that stupid rooster mascot.
tonysdog01
As a Mets fan I’m glad they’re moving to Syracuse because of the proximity of Syracuse to New York and the AA team in Binghamton. Vegas deserves to have the same thing. I only read good things about how they treated the far off NY team. Hope they get the As.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Vegas needs an MLB team
Michael Chaney
Agreed, Vegas and Montreal would be my two choices even though it clearly isn’t up to me
bravesandcrewfan
Nashville could do it for sure.
lowtalker1
It will never happen
mooshimanx
Gambling is legal now and they have an NHL and soon to be NFL franchises. It could easily happen.
hiflew
The Brewers were the last team standing during the last AAA switcheroo. I know they are not a big market team, but they have a pretty good farm. It’s not like they are the Mariners or something.
lowtalker1
But they are the pilots of of Seattle historically
TwinsVet
Steve Adams makes my knees weak.
Tom E. Snyder
Thanks for the report. I’ll be watching for updates–go SA Missions.
soxshortstop
Red Sox moving form Pawtucket to Worcester…I believe
driftcat28 2
Unrelated but kind of related, Pawtucket Red Sox are moving to Worcester, MA in 2 years
hooligan
Loved the Sacramento River Cats as an A’s affiliate. Love them now as a Giants affiliate. Great park, great staff, cheap tickets, etc.
Belurda
How does Arizona not have a minor league team? Yes we have the D-Backs, Spring Training, MLB Rookie Summer League and Arizona Fall Ball, but it’s all in Phoenix and Arizona is huuuuge. Give us some fun, affordable minor league baseball, Flagstaff maybe?
DirtbagBlues
Geographic reasons. Neither Flagstaff nor Tucson could support a Triple-A team (Tucson did for awhile but it didn’t last) and no other level has a league within a reasonable distance. Perhaps Flagstaff for via for a California League or Pioneer League team but, as I said, distance is an issue.
DirtbagBlues
I do think either city could support a minor league team, but finding a home league is the problem. Independent leagues are possible but the West Coast hasn’t had a stable Indy League in decades.
sufferforsnakes
I hope one day to be a Clearwater Threshers fan.
therealryan
Fantastic stadium. If you could double capacity it would be a better choice than the Trop for the Rays.
rondon
The Nats (at least the players anyway), would love Nashville. The Titans and Preds players love the biggest small town around. The fans are like college fans. Have a great time, seriously root for their team, and do it without a lot of rude behavior. And yes, I live there.
spudchukar
While I doubt the Cards would approve, Springfield, Mo has arguably the best AA stadium, with a booming population, and impressing attendance.
callingoutdummies247
MEXICO CITY!!! Tijuana!!!
Marytown1
This just in—Former Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin is coming back to help with the AAA move as he was so blindsided last time he said he’d do it for free this time. He will be announcing by weeks end that the new AAA home will be the Little League field in the parking lot of Miller Park. He’s picking his Captain Kangaroo suit up from the dry cleaners tomorrow, so be ready Brewers fans!!
Porch
A’s are heading to Las Vegas. It was announced this afternoon.
Go to the 51s website to see.
Kylesamac
I know the Ryan family owns the Round Rock Express, but from a business perspective it makes more sense to pick up the San Antonio affiliate. It is a two hour drive from San Antonio to Houston. Much like Corpus Christi it is doable work day travel for a game. Round Rock which is smack dab in the middle between DFW and San Antonio less so.
lsujedi
Not to nitpick, but SA is 200 miles from Houston. Not exactly a 2 hour drive. Buc-ee’s on the way though so not too bad.
Kylesamac
I’m rounding down, but it’s pretty close to that with 70-80 MPH traffic on the interstate.
Southern Man
Round Rock is actually a bit closer to Houston than S.A. Not Interstate, but it is closer.
Kylesamac
Interstate makes up the travel time difference
Southern Man
You can argue, or check a map. Travel time is less to Round Rock