More on minor league affiliation....
by clack on Feb 23, 2010 11:30 AM CST
8 comments
Zachary Levine at Chron.com has a couple of articles discussing the Astros' AAA minor league afffiliation, as well as potential minor league ball in Sugarland. Since we discussed some of these issues in a previous article and related comments, the Levine articles can be viewed as perhaps an update on what we discussed there. The Chronicle article on a potential change in affiliation for Round Rock after 2010 probably doesn't have much which is new to you. As David pointed out in the TCB article, Levine brings up the fact that the Rangers' player development contract (PDC) with Oklahoma City expires at the same as the Astros' Round Rock PDC. Reid Ryan says he is forbidden by minor league rules from talking about potential affiliation with other teams, like his father's Rangers team. Ricky Bennett with the Astros says that the team would like to remain affiliated with Round Rock, but is prepared to change if necessary. However, Bennett doesn't seem to think it's a big deal if the Astros have to find another AAA affilate. Levine says that Oklahoma City seems like an obvious fit if Round Rock changes to Ranger affilation. However, Levine points out that a number of PDC agreements expire in even numbered years, which could spur a major shuffle, which I suppose means that the Astros could end up with another AAA location. (Isn't the Padres' PDC with San Antonio expiring in 2010? I think someone brought that up previously.)
The other Levine article discusses the possibility of minor league baseball in Sugar Land, beginning in 2012. This provides some new information on how that could affect--or rather won't affect--major league affiliation. The Astros have told the developers that they aren't interested in an Astros' minor league affiliate within the Houston metropolitan area. Also, the Astros have veto power over a minor league affiliate of another major league team locating in their area. As a result, the Sugar Land ballpark could become affiliated with an independent league. They are talking to the Atlantic League, and also could consider the American Association.
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Can somebody go into detail as to what would happen with the minor league players if a reshuffling like this were to happen? I live in the OKC area, and there is a fan base for several teams: the Rangers/Royals/Cardinals/Cubs(due to WGN)/Braves(due to TBS). If the Astros were to be affiliated with OKC, I think that would increase the fan base here dramatically, as I am one of the only Astros’ fans in sight. The ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City is pretty impressive.
Basically, the whole Triple-A roster from the new team would move over. So, the Astros would be sending guys like Jordan Lyles and Ross Seaton there in 2011 (fingers crossed…). Usually, the front offices of the minor league teams don’t change, but managers and players all will.
I’ve been past The Brickyard a few times and it is quite nice. I can see why the Big 12 likes having their tournament there.
by David Coleman on Feb 23, 2010 11:26 PM CST up reply actions
Does look like the Padres’ PDC w/ San Antonio expires in 2010:
http://padres.scout.com/2/786503.html
I went to a few Missions games when they were an affiliate of the Dodgers. They shared a field w/ St. Marys back then that I remember being pretty cozy. I haven’t been to a game at the new ballpark though.
HIlariously, the wikipedia page for the Missions claims there is some sort of rivalry between them + the Hooks. I’m sure that’s just as heated as the rivalry between us and the Rangers.
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
I may have made a mistake in highlighting the San Antonio possibility. Levine points out that, given the short time available, the Astros would be limited to picking from existing AAA franchises if Round Rock changed affiliations after 2010. The Missions are a AA team, and now that I think about that point, it probably couldn’t be switched to a AAA team. I assume that would limit the ability to change the Hooks from AA to AAA in that time period.
Yeah, I was wondering about that same thing. I found these two resources:
MLB Rule 56 – PDCs
and
List of current PDCs w/ expiration dates
The first link has good detailed information on just how short the window is for terminating PDCs and negotiating new ones. There are only a few references to how that works when switching classifications.
I had been wondering how Round Rock went from AA to AAA so quickly, but as Levine points out in response to comments on his post it was much more complicated – the Ryans bought another AAA team, moved them to Round Rock, the Astros dropped their PDC w/ New Orleans and signed a new AA one w/ Corpus Christi. Good explanation of that in the Express wikipedia page too.
I think the biggest problem for SA switching classifications is that the MLB rules state that a AAA team requires a stadium w/ a capacity of at least 10,000. Not sure how reliable this is, but this legal doc PDF includes the MLB Rule 58 attachment for Minor League Facility Standards and Compliance Inspection Procedures which states that number. And according to wikipedia, Nelson Wolff Stadium, where the Missions play now, only has a capacity of 9,200. Dell Diamond only has 8,688 fixed seats, but I guess they meet the AAA requirements because it can also fit up to 3K on the grass berm. Seems like SA could find a way to get 800 more people into the stadium if they’re creative.
Anyway, sounds like it’s a long shot…
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Feb 24, 2010 9:31 AM CST up reply actions
Sugarland...
That whole situation sounds great for people who live in Sugarland in terms of getting new bells and whistles. However, the reality is that they are building a mansion for an indy league? That makes no sense. Clearly the Astros are struggling to fill their ballpark so they aren’t bringing in a team to cut into their money. If there was any place I think an additional minor league affiliate should go to it would be Tyler or Beaumont, but that might be a little old school in me talking…
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