New York Mets to Purchase AAA Syracuse Chiefs
By David Hill
In a move that makes perfect logistical sense, the New York Mets are set to purchase the Syracuse Chiefs, making the team their new AAA affiliate.
Getting a player from the AAA level to the majors was a logistical nightmare for the New York Mets. Since 2013, the Mets AAA affiliate has been in Las Vegas, over 2500 miles from Citi Field. Flights last for over five hours, and by the time the minor leaguer comes to New York, that first day is essentially wasted.
It was not always such a hassle to get a player from AAA to the Mets. For four years, the Mets top farm team was located in Buffalo, much closer than their current top affiliate. Given the injuries that the Mets endured this season, especially to their pitching staff, any cut down on travel would be welcomed.
Those changes will come beginning in 2019. The Mets are set to purchase the Syracuse Chiefs, taking ownership from The Community Baseball Club of Central New York Inc. This sale ends nearly six decades of ownership by the community, although the team will still play in NBT Bank Stadium.
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The Mets will not be the only team with changes due to this purchase. The Chiefs had been the AAA team for the Washington Nationals, who will now need to locate a new AAA affiliate following the 2018 season. Now the Nationals will be scrambling to locate a new AAA affiliate, as they look for something closer to home.
This move should also provide a tangible benefit for New York. Over the previous five years, the Mets have struggled to bring up short term injury replacements, or to have those players be ready that night. The Mets will also have another affiliate in the same state, joining the Binghampton Rumble Ponies and the Brooklyn Cyclones.
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The New York Mets will finally end their logistical nightmare, and have their AAA affiliate closer to home. They just need to wait one more year.