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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: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

High-A

California League

  • Bakersfield Blaze – One of the two organizations folding after 2016, Bakersfield has had minor league affiliation for 75 years, but the team simply cannot keep up their facilities any longer, and the environment in the area is a major run scoring one, skewing results and leading Major League teams not to want to play there. The Mariners are currently affiliated with Bakersfield, and they’ve not announced their intentions at this time.
  • High Desert Mavericks – The second team closing its doors is the High Desert affiliate, currently affiliated with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have already worked out a deal with a new Carolina League team in Kinston to begin play in 2017.
    Lake Elsinore Storm – Currently affiliated with the Padres, the Storm have been stable in their affiliation since 2001, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
  • Lancaster JetHawks – The Houston Astros have been affiliated with Lancaster since 2009, so it’s not a long-term relationship, but from all accounts, it’s a very positive relationship and discussions were already underway to extend the contract between the two.
  • Modesto Nuts – For over a decade now, the Colorado Rockies have been associated with Modesto, their fourth high-A affiliate in their existence since 1993.
  • Visalia Rawhide – The Diamondbacks have been in Visalia now for 10 years, so there’s some length in their relationship, and Arizona has been a member of the Cal League their entire existence in three affiliates, so if it isn’t Visalia, they’ll stay in the league.

Carolina League

  • Carolina Mudcats – The Braves have only been associated with Carolina for two seasons as they basically swapped high-A affiliates with the Indians after the 2014 season. The Indians, however, signed a four-year pact with Lynchburg. Carolina is the only non-team-owned affiliate of the Braves system, so it would not be surprising if the relationship ended after 2016.
  • Myrtle Beach Pelicans – The Cubs have been with Myrtle Beach for two seasons after joining the Carolina League from the Florida State League. From all accounts, they have a good relationship, but money can talk, and another location could sway the Cubs.
  • Potomac Nationals – Part of the affiliation with the Washington Nationals has been changing their name since the affiliation began in 2005. With that 12 year-relationship, however, there is a strong likelihood that an extension will be worked out to continue.
  • Wilmington Blue Rocks – Since 1993, the Kansas City Royals have been affiliated with Wilmington for all but 2 seasons, so it’s very likely that this relationship will continue.

Florida State League

  • Brevard County Manatees – The Milwaukee Brewers have been with Brevard County since they chose to leave the Cal League in 2005, so it’s quite likely this will be renewed.
  • Charlotte Stone Crabs – The Tampa Bay Rays have been affiliated with Charlotte since 2009, when they made a number of minor league changes, but they’ve been stable across their entire organization since, so it’d be surprising to see them jump ship.

Next: Low-A changes

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