rams80 4,278 Posted December 2, 2020 7 hours ago, B-Rich said: What Wichita did: "The Class AA affiliate will switch from Pensacola, Fla., to Wichita. According to the Wichita Eagle, the announcement will be met with disappointment in a city that raised taxes to help pay for $75 million Riverfront Stadium to try and lure a Class AAA team. But the Wind Surge will leave the Pacific Coast League without ever having played a AAA game — it was based in New Orleans before 2020, and the past minor league season was wiped out by the pandemic. Wichita hasn’t had a Class AAA team for nearly 40 years." That Pensacola ballpark is less than a decade old and was built for a team that got driven out of business by affiliated ball. That surely won't be brought up when MLB goes around the area hat in hand in a few years. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsfan7 448 Posted December 2, 2020 4 minutes ago, rams80 said: That Pensacola ballpark is less than a decade old and was built for a team that got driven out of business by affiliated ball. That surely won't be brought up when MLB goes around the area hat in hand in a few years. Unless something changes, the Blue Wahoos will be playing in the Southern League next year. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B-Rich 1,230 Posted December 2, 2020 21 hours ago, sportsfan7 said: Unless something changes, the Blue Wahoos will be playing in the Southern League next year. Yes, pretty sure one of the initial articles said they would be affiliated with the Marlins (whose current AA team-- Jacksonville-- is becoming their AAA team). 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigEd76 329 Posted December 3, 2020 Looks like they won't be announcing anything until next week. From what I've been reading, here's where things stand as of now: (* = unofficial but expected based on reports) Atlanta path = GCL > Rome > ___ > Mississippi > Gwinnett Miami path = GCL > Jupiter > Asheville* > Pensacola* > Jacksonville* NY Mets path = GCL > St. Lucie > Brooklyn > Binghamton > Syracuse Philadelphia path = GCL > Clearwater > Jersey Shore* > Reading > Lehigh Valley Washington path = GCL > Fredericksburg* > Wilmington* > Harrisburg > Rochester Chicago Cubs path = AZL > Myrtle Beach* > South Bend* > Tennessee* > Iowa Cincinnati path = AZL > Daytona* > Dayton* > Chattanooga* > Louisville Milwaukee path = AZL > Carolina* > Wisconsin* > Biloxi* > Nashville* Pittsburgh path = GCL > Bradenton > Greensboro* > Altoona > Indianapolis St. Louis path = GCL > Palm Beach > Peoria* > Springfield > Memphis Arizona path = AZL > Visalia > Hillsboro* > San Antonio* > Reno Colorado path = AZL > Fresno* > Boise* > Hartford* > Albuquerque LA Dodgers path = AZL > Rancho Cucamonga > Spokane* > Tulsa > Oklahoma City San Diego path = AZL > Lake Elsinore > ___ > Amarillo* > El Paso San Francisco path = AZL > San Jose > ___ > Richmond* > Sacramento Baltimore path = GCL > Delmarva > Aberdeen > Bowie > Norfolk Boston path = GCL > Salem > Greenville* > Portland > Worcester NY Yankees path = GCL > Tampa > Hudson Valley > Somerset > Scranton/WB Tampa Bay path = GCL > ___ > Charleston* > Montgomery > Durham Toronto path = GCL > Dunedin > Vancouver* > New Hampshire > Buffalo Chicago WS path = AZL > Kannapolis > Winston-Salem > Birmingham > Charlotte Cleveland path = AZL > Lynchburg* > Lake County* > Akron > Columbus Detroit path = GCL > Lakeland > West Michigan* > Erie* > Toledo Kansas City path = AZL > ___ > ___ > Northwest Arkansas* > Omaha Minnesota path = GCL > Fort Myers > Cedar Rapids* > Wichita* > St. Paul* Houston path = GCL > Fayetteville* > Beloit* > Corpus Christi > Sugar Land LA Angels path = AZL > Inland Empire > ___ > Rocket City* > Salt Lake Oakland path = AZL > Stockton > Lansing* > Midland* > Las Vegas Seattle path = AZL > Modesto > Everett > Arkansas > Tacoma Texas path = AZL > Down East* > Hickory* > Frisco* > Round Rock* 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsfan7 448 Posted December 3, 2020 My best guess given @BigEd76's chart: AAA International League Syracuse Mets Rochester Red Wings Buffalo Bison Worcester Red Sox Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Lehigh Valley IronPigs Norfolk Tides Durham Bulls Charlotte Knights Gwinett Stripers Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Nashville Sounders Memphis Redbirds Louisville Bats Columbus Clippers Toledo Mud Hens Indianapolis Indians St Paul Saints Iowa Cubs Omaha Storm Chasers PCL Oklahoma City Dodgers Round Rock Express Sugar Land Skeeters El Paso Chihuahuas Albuquerque Isotopes Salt Lake Bees Las Vegas Aviators Reno Aces Sacramento River Cats Tacoma Rainiers AA Eastern League Portland Sea Dogs New Hampshire Fisher Cats Hartford Yard Goats Binghamton Rumble Ponies Somerset Patriots Reading Fightin Phils Harrisburg Senators Akron RubberDucks Erie SeaWolves Altoona Curve Bowie BaySox Richmond Flying Squirrels Southern League Tennessee Smokies Chattanooga Lookouts Rocket City Trash Pandas Birmingham Barons Montgomery Biscuits Pensacola Blue Wahoos Mississippi Braves Biloxi Shuckers Texas League Wichita Wind Surge Springfield Cardinals Tulsa Drillers Northwest Arkansas Naturals Arkansas Travelers Amarillo Sod Poodles Frisco RoughRiders Midland RockHounds San Antonio Missions Corpus Christi Hooks High-A Northwest League Everett AquaSox Spokane Indians Vancouver Canadians Boise Hawks Eugene Emeralds (Affiliate of the Giants or Padres or Angels) Hillsboro Hops Mid-Atlantic League Brooklyn Cyclones Hudson Valley Renegades Jersey Shore Blueclaws Wilmington Blue Rocks Aberdeen IronBirds 1 of Frederick Keys/Tri-City ValleyCats Carolina League Asheville Tourists Greensboro Grasshoppers Winston-Salem Dash Hickory Crawdads Greenville Drive Charleston RiverDogs Midwest League Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Beloit Snappers Cedar Rapids Kernels Peoria Chiefs South Bend Cubs Western Michigan Whitecaps Lansing Lugnuts Dayton Dragons Lake County Captains 3 of Fort Wayne/Great Lakes/Kane County/Bowling Green It is also possible that the MWL only adds 1 team and either Salem-Keizer and Tri-City stay in the NWL or Augusta and Columbia join the Carolina League. Low-A California League Stockton Ports Modesto Nuts San Jose Giants Fresno Grizzlies Visalia Rawhide Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Inland Empire 66ers Lake Elsinore Storm Florida State League Daytona Tortugas Lakeland Flying Tigers Clearwater Threshers Tampa Tarpons Dunedin Blue Jays Bradenton Marauders Fort Myers Mighty Mussels St. Lucie Mets Jupiter Hammerheads Palm Beach Cardinals South Atlantic League Delmarva ShoreBirds Fredericksburg Nationals Lynchburg Hillcats Salem Red Sox Fayetteville Woodpeckers Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Carolina Mudcats Down East Wood Ducks Myrtle Beach Pelicans Columbia Fireflies (Either KC or TB) Augusta GreenJackets (Same) Rome Braves It is also possible that Charlotte and Florida stay in the Florida State League instead of Augusta and Columbia joining the Sally. Assuming the teams on BigEd's chart and Eugene are safe, I think that leaves 12 teams fighting for 6 spots. Teams Tri-City Dust Devils Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Tri-City ValleyCats Frederick Keys Kane County Cougars Fort Wayne TinCaps Great Lakes Loons Bowling Green Hot Rods Augusta GreenJackets Columbia Fireflies Charlotte Stone Crabs Florida Fire Frogs Spots 1 Midwest League 1 Mid-Atlantic League 2 High-A (NWL, MWL, or Carolina) 2 Low-A (FSL or Sally) 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian in Boston 2,837 Posted December 3, 2020 Ownership of the Staten Island Yankees has announced that the team is ceasing operations and that they have filed a lawsuit against the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball seeking legal remedies.Staten Island Yankees shutting down, suing MLB and New York Yankees"The Staten Island Yankees are ceasing operations and have filed a lawsuit seeking legal remedies."The New York Yankees announced on November 7, 2020 that the Staten Island Yankees were no longer part of the Yankees minor league affiliation structure, even though the Yankees had made repeated assurances we would always be a minor league partner."Although we still have not heard this from the Yankees directly, it would appear from their press release that they would like us to go from the past arrangement in which the Staten Island Yankees were an affiliated minor league team of the New York Yankees - where we facilitated player development and brand exposure, among other benefits to the New York Yankees - to one in which we play unaffiliated baseball with no relationship to the Yankees whatsoever."This would force Staten Island to field a subpar team with players that have no connection to the Yankees farm system. Additionally, this would require additional expenses including payroll for players, coaches and staff. Unfortunately, that additional expense and the loss of the connection to the Yankees in our shared city makes it impossible for the Staten Island Yankees to pursue this business model."The best thing we can do for the community is step to aside and let others try to save baseball in Staten Island. While we have invested considerable resources into the development of the North Shore, and hoped to remain a piece of that renewal, we have not been offered support to create a sustainable business entity."Accordingly, with great regret, we must cease operations. Earlier today we filed a lawsuit against the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball to hold those entities accountable for false promises. A portion of any settlement or jury verdict will go to the Staten Island Yankees Foundation to be distributed to local Staten Island charities like the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Person Centered Care Services. All outstanding ticket purchases will be fully funded upon request. "To the fans and community of Staten Island we offer our sincere thanks for supporting our team and all of its employees over the years." 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigEd76 329 Posted December 3, 2020 FSL is expected to be 10 teams, so it would be 12 in SAL 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsfan7 448 Posted December 3, 2020 52 minutes ago, BigEd76 said: FSL is expected to be 10 teams, so it would be 12 in SAL That's what I figured, but Tampa was one of the teams without a Low-A affiliate and I hadn't seen Charlotte on any of the cut lists, so I figured I'd leave the door open. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiePerske 2,122 Posted December 3, 2020 Where is the new Fredericksburg is going to low A? All the talks i'm seeing is either staying high A or, inferring what ghiroli said on twitter, them moving up to AA. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBGKon 2,683 Posted December 4, 2020 I’ve seen a few folks in this thread say that the Charlotte Stone Crabs would be one of the teams folding in the FSL. Where exactly is this coming from? The Florida Fire Frogs are likely one of the ones to fold as they are pretty much homeless. Daytona is the other team at a non spring training venue, but are one of the more popular teams in the FSL based on attendance. I kinda hope someone falls on the sword for Daytona to survive. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsfan7 448 Posted December 4, 2020 2 hours ago, TBGKon said: I’ve seen a few folks in this thread say that the Charlotte Stone Crabs would be one of the teams folding in the FSL. Where exactly is this coming from? The Florida Fire Frogs are likely one of the ones to fold as they are pretty much homeless. Daytona is the other team at a non spring training venue, but are one of the more popular teams in the FSL based on attendance. I kinda hope someone falls on the sword for Daytona to survive. The problem is, in order for the Fire Frogs to fold, someone else in the FSL has to as well. Unfortunately for Charlotte, 8 of the 12 FSL teams are owned by MLB teams and won't be cut, while Fort Myers has been all but confirmed to be back as a Twins affiliate and the Fire Frogs are as good as gone. That leaves one of Daytona or Charlotte on the chopping block. Personally, I think Daytona is gone, since they don't play in a Spring Training facility and were on both cut lists (Baseball America and New York Times). For the alignment I listed above, however, I used what @BigEd76 had written out. Unfortunately, it looks like if you want Daytona to survive, Charlotte will have to be the ones that fall on the sword. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flasah 14 Posted December 4, 2020 6 hours ago, sportsfan7 said: My best guess given @BigEd76's chart: AA Eastern League Portland Sea Dogs New Hampshire Fisher Cats Hartford Yard Goats Binghamton Rumble Ponies Somerset Patriots Reading Fightin Phils Akron RubberDucks Erie SeaWolves Altoona Curve Bowie BaySox Richmond Flying Squirrels That's 11, you forgot the Harrisburg Senators 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsfan7 448 Posted December 4, 2020 9 minutes ago, flasah said: That's 11, you forgot the Harrisburg Senators Fixed 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBGKon 2,683 Posted December 4, 2020 11 hours ago, sportsfan7 said: The problem is, in order for the Fire Frogs to fold, someone else in the FSL has to as well. Unfortunately for Charlotte, 8 of the 12 FSL teams are owned by MLB teams and won't be cut, while Fort Myers has been all but confirmed to be back as a Twins affiliate and the Fire Frogs are as good as gone. That leaves one of Daytona or Charlotte on the chopping block. Personally, I think Daytona is gone, since they don't play in a Spring Training facility and were on both cut lists (Baseball America and New York Times). For the alignment I listed above, however, I used what @BigEd76 had written out. Unfortunately, it looks like if you want Daytona to survive, Charlotte will have to be the ones that fall on the sword. I forgot Charlotte wasn’t fully owned by the Rays. I know Ripken was the original primary owner, but that changed. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigEd76 329 Posted December 4, 2020 The most recent reports I read were that Daytona survived the cut, which leaves the Rays with a SAL team 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CubsFanBudMan 399 Posted December 4, 2020 21 hours ago, sportsfan7 said: My best guess given @BigEd76's chart: [Snip] Midwest League Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Beloit Snappers Cedar Rapids Kernels Peoria Chiefs South Bend Cubs Western Michigan Whitecaps Lansing Lugnuts Dayton Dragons Lake County Captains 3 of Fort Wayne/Great Lakes/Kane County/Bowling Green It is also possible that the MWL only adds 1 team and either Salem-Keizer and Tri-City stay in the NWL or Augusta and Columbia join the Carolina League. [Snip] The Quad Cities River Bandits were reported to be staying in the High A Midwest League on November 30: https://qctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/bandits-set-to-move-one-step-closer-to-the-majors/article_7819cc40-0d71-508a-9955-ee53e3571c0c.html 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBGKon 2,683 Posted December 4, 2020 3 hours ago, BigEd76 said: The most recent reports I read were that Daytona survived the cut, which leaves the Rays with a SAL team I presume thats if the affiliation holds in Daytona. The were with Cincinnati before, but that agreement pretty much is useless after this whole reorg began. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CubsFanBudMan 399 Posted December 4, 2020 And a short drive up the Mississippi River, the alternative Midwest League scenario in Clinton, Iowa for the LumberKings: https://www.clintonherald.com/news/local_news/a-league-of-our-own-l-kings-gm-gives-glimpse-of-clubs-future-if-mlb/article_e06afa30-3585-11eb-aae0-6b10db8c21e8.html 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sportsfan7 448 Posted December 4, 2020 1 hour ago, CubsFanBudMan said: The Quad Cities River Bandits were reported to be staying in the High A Midwest League on November 30: https://qctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/bandits-set-to-move-one-step-closer-to-the-majors/article_7819cc40-0d71-508a-9955-ee53e3571c0c.html I can find nothing that indicates the River Bandits will be in or out except for owner Dave Heller saying they'll be in, even though its pretty clear they have no way of knowing for sure, just like every other MiLB team that hasn't been subject of an announcement by an MLB team. They were, however, on the New York Times cut list, which is why I excluded them, especially since Beloit, who was listed in their place on the Baseball America list, have started construction on a new stadium. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rams80 4,278 Posted December 5, 2020 I'm pretty sure Quad Cities is one of the best stadiums in the Midwest League. They were only on the list because Houston made the list and Houston was mad that changes to the local railway made the stadium inaccessible in the event of a Mississippi River flood. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites