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MLB: Multiple Teams Getting Ready to Play Offseason Minor League Affiliation Shuffle

By Benjamin Chase

Jun 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A bat rests inside a baseball glove at an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A bat rests inside a baseball glove at an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

AA

Eastern League

  • Akron RubberDucks – While Akron once was Canton-Akron, it’s been part of the Cleveland Indians organization since 1989, so while the team name has changed numerous times since then, I’d be surprised to see the affiliation change here.
  • New Hampshire Fisher Cats – The Blue Jays have been in New Hampshire since 2004, so while it’s not a terribly short-term relationship, this isn’t exactly long-term established relationship either.

Southern League

  • Jackson Generals – The Mariners have been in Jackson since 2011, but they’ve shown no loyalty as they’ve bounced throughout the Southern League in their AA affiliation the last 15 years, so it would not be surprising at all if they were to jump ship to another location within the Southern League, but likely not to the Eastern League or Texas League, based on their history.
  • Jacksonville Suns – The Marlins have been in existence since 1993, yet they’ve had 3 AA locations in that time, two of which are no longer part of AA leagues. They’ve been in Jacksonville since 2009.
  • Mobile BayBears – The BayBears have played consecutively since 1997 in the Southern League, and they’ve worked with only two franchises, the Padres and Diamondbacks, their current affiliated club. The Diamondbacks reportedly really enjoy the facilities at Hank Aaron Stadium, so it’s likely they will re-up.
  • Pensacola Blue Wahoos – After 20 years in Chattanooga (and 3 years in Carolina), the Cincinnati Reds have spent their last 5 seasons in Pensacola. The Blue Wahoos are one of the more interesting team names in all of the minor leagues.

Texas League

  • Arkansas Travelers – Arkansas has been affiliated with the Angels since 2001. It’d be hard to see the Angels changing this affiliation without some other force intervening.
  • Midland RockHounds – The Oakland Athletics have been in Midland since 1999. The organization has a good relationship with the city, but it will be interesting to see how things end up with a few financial considerations entering the fray.
  • San Antonio Missions – The San Diego Padres have been affiliated with San Antonio since 2007. Missions and Padres seem to go together, don’t you think?!

Next: High-A changes

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