AAA Affiliation Status -- Latest: Brewers Re-Up with Nashville After All

[Mass Haas]

Rather than place Nashville affiliation talk in the "Your 2010 Nashville Sounds" thread, we'll start an individual thread here, similar to Huntsville's, as new commentary has been posted --

 

Mass Haas wrote:

 

This blog post indicates that the Brewers will likely have interest in Oklahoma City as a new AAA home come this fall.

 

***

 

There is now an Oklahoma City newspaper article with additional speculation --

 

Nashville's loss could be RedHawks' gain

By Ryan Aber, the Oklahoman

Negotiations for a new stadium for the Triple-A Sounds have stalled. So the Brewers, currently affiliated with Nashville, could become the RedHawks' new parent club.

 

The guitar-shaped scoreboard remains iconic at Nashville's Greer Stadium.

 

Unfortunately for the Pacific Coast League's Nashville Sounds, the rest of the park is outdated.

 

Opened in 1978, Greer Stadium is one of the oldest in the Pacific Coast League.

 

While the stadium has gone through several renovations, talks about a new stadium for the Triple-A team that has been in the city since 1985 have stalled.

 

That could leave an opening for Oklahoma City.

 

The Sounds' player-development contract with the Milwaukee Brewers expires at the end of the season.

 

Last month, a group including Nolan Ryan bought the Texas Rangers, virtually assuring the Rangers-RedHawks partnership would not be renewed. After nearly 30 years of having their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, the Rangers are expected to pair with Round Rock. Ryan also owns that team.

 

Neither RedHawks officials nor any officials from major league teams can comment on possible affiliation changes until Sept. 2.

 

The Brewers are among 13 teams whose PDCs with their Triple-A affiliates expire after this season.

 

The Mariners extended their agreement with Tacoma through 2014 this week.

 

The end of the regular season begins a one-month window for teams to negotiate PDCs with new clubs. Until then, teams can only renew their current deals. PDCs can be agreed to in either two- or four-year increments.

 

Milwaukee does have some connections to the RedHawks.

 

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin was the GM of the Rangers from 1994-2001.

 

Also, former RedHawks pitching coach Lee Tunnell is now the Brewers' minor league pitching coordinator.

 

If the Brewers were to change their affiliation to the RedHawks, it wouldn't only affect the players on the field but the style of play.

 

Since the RedHawks are currently affiliated with an American League team, pitchers never hit when the RedHawks play.

 

But with a National League affiliate, pitchers would hit when they play another NL team.

 

Currently, the RedHawks are the only team in the American Southern Division that is not affiliated with an NL team, although Round Rock would be next year if it is affiliated with Texas.

 

Seven other PCL teams have NL affiliates.

 

While the Rangers have been stable with their Triple-A affiliate, the Brewers have had five top affiliates since 1987.

 

Milwaukee has been affiliated with Nashville since 2005. Before that, the Brewers were affiliated with Indianapolis (2000-04), Louisville (1998-99), Tucson (1997) and Denver (1987-1996).

 

Current Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, left, was the Texas Rangers' general manager from 1994-2001. Here he talks with former RedHawks manager DeMarlo Hale. Photo by The Oklahoman Archive

 

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[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Nashville's future as Triple-A town is going ... going ...

Commentary by David Climer, THE TENNESSEAN

 

When a new ownership group bought the Nashville Sounds in 2008, it spent $2.5 million on improvements to Greer Stadium.

 

It was lipstick on a pig. And everybody knew it — the owners, the players, the fans.

Greer Stadium opened in 1978. It is one of the oldest stadiums in Triple-A baseball. And even with the multi-million dollar improvements — which co-owner Frank Ward admitted was "a Band-Aid" — it is showing its age.

With Greer Stadium far past its prime and with no major movement on construction of a new facility in the downtown area, Nashville baseball is at yet another crossroads.

Get ready for change. The Milwaukee Brewers, whose Triple-A affiliate has called Nashville home since 2005, are expected to leave for greener pastures — and a nicer stadium — after this season. Beginning in early September, Major League Baseball has a 30-day window for its franchises to negotiate player-development contracts with affiliates. The likely landing spot for the Brewers' Triple-A team is Oklahoma City.

It is unclear which major-league team will step in to align itself with Nashville for its Triple-A team. There are 13 teams whose player development contracts with Triple-A affiliates expire after this season.

Branch Rickey, president of the Pacific Coast League of which the Sounds are a member, emphasized that Nashville is not in danger of losing its Triple-A status in the short term.

"There is not a single person in his right mind in the Pacific Coast League that thinks Nashville is less than a Triple-A market," he said. "Nashville is one of the most prestigious markets in all of minor league baseball.

"Nashville's not losing anything.

Nashville is going forward, whether it is retaining the Brewers' affiliate or not."

But Rickey acknowledges that aging Greer Stadium is a source of concern.

"Is the Pacific Coast League moving out of Nashville? No. That's the furthest thing from our minds," he said before adding:

"But we have a challenge."

Nobody wants to say it, but there is the distinct possibility that at some point Nashville could lose its Triple-A baseball identity if a new stadium is not constructed. And while slipping back to Double-A ball might not seem like a big deal to many residents, it would be a blow to Nashville's sports credibility.

 

Certainly, a city that serves as host to both NFL and NHL franchises does not pin its sports identity on whether its baseball team plays in Triple-A or Double-A. But since the Sounds moved up to Triple-A in 1985, backsliding to a lower classification would be a loss.

 

Another way of looking at it: The Sounds hit the field at Greer Stadium in 1978 as a Double-A franchise. If Greer Stadium remains home base, the Sounds might eventually revert to Double-A status.

Let's face it: Greer Stadium is no longer the premier baseball facility in town. Although its seating capacity is far less, Hawkins Field at Vanderbilt offers far more ambiance, as does Dugan Field at Lipscomb.

When the Sounds were an affiliate of the New York Yankees in 1980-84, the late George Steinbrenner occasionally visited town and once referred to Greer Stadium as "quaint" and "a throw-back." Since then, however, quaint has given way to cracked concrete in the concourses. The guitar-shaped scoreboard may be a throw-back, but it lacks many of the bells and whistles of newer models.

 

The solution, of course, is to build a state-of-the-art minor league park on the banks of the Cumberland River. A number of cities have found great success with downtown stadiums, both in terms of attendance and economic impact on nearby restaurants and nightspots.

Indeed, there has been talk of a downtown stadium for about 15 years.

Last November, the mayor's office confirmed that three sites were under consideration as locations for a new park. Sounds management hired a real estate attorney, a public relations firm and an architectural firm to formulate plans for a stadium.

Of course, the devil is in the detail. And the biggest detail is money. In these difficult economic times, a big-ticket item like a new baseball stadium is a tough sell.

But how many more layers of lipstick can you put on that pig?

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Affiliation options are plenty for Oklahoma City RedHawks

Bricktown Ballpark will be attractive for teams looking for partnership

By Ryan Aber, newsok.com

 

While the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago White Sox are two of the options for the RedHawks to partner with next baseball season, there are plenty of other big league organizations that figure to be available.

 

As of now, 13 teams have player development contracts (PDC) that expire following this season, including Oklahoma City and the Texas Rangers.

 

While some teams that have expiring deals are likely to renew their PDCs before the end of the season, Oklahoma City figures to have plenty of options.

 

The RedHawks are seen as an attractive commodity for several reasons:

 

*AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The park is 12 years old, but it's still among the best in Triple-A.

 

*Oklahoma City is attractive for its central location, which would make it relatively easy to move players back and forth between the city and the big league team.

 

While the Houston Astros were at one time considered a logical choice to move their affiliate to Oklahoma City, it now appears unlikely it will be that easy.

 

Houston is currently affiliated with Round Rock, which is expected to become affiliated with Texas after the season. Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan owns the Round Rock franchise and is part of the ownership group that recently purchased the Rangers.

 

Houston was Oklahoma City's Triple-A affiliate from 1962-1972, when the 89ers played at All Sports Stadium.

 

But the Astros' player development has been less than spectacular in recent years. Poor drafts, including 2007, when Houston failed to sign any of its picks before the fifth round, have hurt the organization.

 

Baseball America had Houston last in its organizational rankings before the season.

 

The Arizona Diamondbacks also were ranked low in Baseball America's list (No. 28) but could be a possibility for Oklahoma City if they decided to leave Reno.

 

Arizona's affiliate had been in Tucson for the first 11 seasons of the big league team's existence, but the Tucson franchise moved to Reno last year in the final year of the club's player development contract. So the Diamondbacks figure to at least be open to the possibility of change.

 

Toronto long had a similar cozy relationship with its Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse. But the Jays were left scrambling when Syracuse decided to go with the Washington Nationals two years ago because of Toronto's history of struggling teams at the Triple-A level.

 

The Blue Jays wound up going with Las Vegas, by far the longest distance separating a major league club with its top affiliate.

 

The first day a PDC can be signed with a team is Sept. 16, and deals must be made in two- or four-year increments.

 

AT&T Bricktown Ballpark is one of the things that could be attractive to potential Major League Baseball partners for the RedHawks. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

 

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[wibadgers23]

I hope they move to Oklahoma City. That's a beautiful stadium they've got there.

[JJHardy7]

There is now an Oklahoma City newspaper article with additioal speculation --

 

They've speculated on the local radio here that Oklahoma City is where the Brewers are trying to end up. I think they've predicted it.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I wouldn't mind this. I'd have to go check out that ballpark at some point. Looks very nice.

[Teatoe993]

OKC stadium is one of the best I've seen in the minors. The area surrounding the stadium is a great place to hang out with lots of things to do.

[Baldkin]

Wow, if this happens... I'll probably be making a road trip there. Looks gorgeous.

[davego]

Selfish reasons...but if the 'Crew doesn't get OKC...I'm pulling hard for Vegas.

[MLS1965]

The Brewers have made it pretty clear that without a new stadium in the works in Nashville they will pull out at the end of the 2010 season. The season closes tonight and no new stadium is forecast anytime soon. So my question.. Where do you think they'll go...? Do you think the Sounds will cut a deal for them to stay....? Any thoughts...?

[trwi7]

Honestly, the only way they stay is if one of the few remaining affiliates get partners before the Brewers can get one. I have a feeling they're going to act fast though and end up in Oklahoma City.

[bball123h]

According to this Austin newspaper, Milwaukee is likely headed to OKC.

[trwi7]

I know it's likely the Brewers go to OKC, but a new bit of news. There is no more baseball in Portland. The owner of the Beavers bought an MLS team but the only way to get that team was to turn PGE Park into a soccer only facility, so he did that while trying to get support for a new stadium for the Beavers. They tried three different places, all failed for various reasons so he sold the team to the Padres for $20 million and the Padres are moving them to Lake Elsinore next season until they can find a permanent home, one which will likely be close to San Diego.

[Mass Haas]

We've linked to Mark McCarter's article in the Huntsville Times this morning -- the main focus was on the Stars's relationship with the Brewers, but also included this update --

The Brewers are also in negotiation with Nashville at the Triple-A level, according to Scott Martens, business manager for the Brewers' minor league operation.

 

At both Nashville and Huntsville, Milwaukee officials have been unhappy with the facilities for players at the aging stadiums (Joe Davis Stadium opened in 1985, Nashville's Greer Stadium in 1978).

 

The Brewers have been linked to the vacancy at Oklahoma City in the Class AAA International League. The Oklahoma City team is owned by Mandalay Entertainment, as is the Erie franchise. A potential package deal could be arranged.

 

Milwaukee officials have expressed their desire for convenient travel between their Class AAA and Class AA teams, something the Nashville-Huntsville link offers.

 

***

 

Yes, it's great that Nashville and Huntsville are only 90 miles apart. It's not that it's convenient for player movement between the two levels. Unless both teams are at home, the Stars could be in Jacksonville and the Sounds in Tacoma, that kind of thing.

 

But it is convenient for when members of the front office want to schedule their visits, as they can focus on those times when both clubs are at home. This also works out well for the roving instructors as well, who can be scheduled likewise. As a comparison, Huntsville and Oklahoma City are nearly 700 miles and 11 hours driving apart.

 

If the Brewers decide that the convenience of having the two 'Ville's side-by-side outweighs even the amenities of Oklahoma City, then the notion that negotiations could be ongoing with Nashville, something that seemed very unlikely to happen, are indeed underway, well, pretty interesting.

[carniesandrubes]

2-year extension signed according to Haudricourt.

 

EDIT: link

[Mass Haas]

Sounds, Brewers Extend Affiliation

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds and Milwaukee Brewers have extended their player development contract for two more years, ensuring that the working relationship between the clubs will continue through the completion of the 2012 season.

 

The Sounds have served as the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate since the start of the 2005 season.

 

The announcement was made jointly this afternoon by Sounds co-owner Frank Ward and Brewers executive vice president and general manager Doug Melvin.

 

In six seasons as a Brewers affiliate, Nashville has produced five winning records, made the playoffs three times, and captured the 2005 Pacific Coast League title. The Sounds carry a 451-409 record over that stretch, the 4th-best mark among the 16 PCL clubs.

 

"We are very pleased to continue our relationship with the Milwaukee Brewers and their staff. The product that they've put on the field here in Nashville speaks for itself," said Ward. "In addition, we are excited to know the Sounds will continue to play an integral role in developing the Brewers' prospects on their way to Milwaukee."

 

Not including rehab players, 15 different Sounds players were promoted to Milwaukee this season. Twenty-four of the current 31 players on the Brewers' active roster have appeared for Nashville during their playing careers.

 

"Frank Ward and his ownership group have provided our Nashville club with a number of our baseball-needed requests and the Brewers hope a new stadium is in the future plans," said Melvin. "We appreciate the fans who have supported both the Sounds and the Brewers players who have earned their way to Milwaukee."

 

The Sounds kick off their 34th season of competition next April at Greer Stadium. Season ticket packages are currently on sale by calling (615) 690-HITS or visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

[logan82]

I can't wait to see how the FO spins this one. This feels like going to prom with your sister.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Perhaps there is another tandem of AA/AAA near proximity sites that will open up after 2012. If that is so, then re-upping with Huntsville/Nashville might make sense. But given all the complaints and negative comments about both places, especially about Nashville, I'm shocked at the double renewal.

[colbyjack]

Similar to Huntsville, the Brewers may not have had a choice but to re-up with Nashville. I know a lot of people/papers said they expected the Brewers to sign up with OKC, but how do we know that the interest was mutual? The OKC team may have found another relationship to be more beneficial, as it may not have happened just because of the Brewers preference of the proximity between Nashville & Huntsville.

[CheezWizHed]

If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with...

 

The only real negative about Nashville is the stadium, right? So if they can work together to get a new stadium, it would be nice to develop a long term relationship there. Cease the hopping around...

[MadScientist]

It's musical chairs, but everyone gets a chance to keep their chairs, so the Brewers get stuck with the ones with broken legs and whoopee cushions.

 

I think the stadiums are bad enough that they give other teams leverage with the big league clubs - "Hey club X, re-sign with us, or you might get stuck in Huntsville / Nashville."

[battlekow]

From the Nashville Ledger's list of events for April 1st:

Students from the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design, led by professor and former Nashville Civic Design Center Design Director Mark Schimmenti, reveal results of their study of the Sulphur Dell and North Gulch areas as possible sites for a new baseball stadium for the Nashville Sounds.