Developing Players without the need for minor leagues

[folly412]

Interesting MiLB response to some of the realignment drama:

 

 

The first paragraph on the second page from this screenshot was an interesting tidbit to me:

 

 

 

Has anyone found the e-mail that MLB shared, and if it's dated? The MLB-owned Carolina League teams are the Mudcats in Zebulon (Brewers), Fayetteville (Astros) which just moved from Buies Creek, NC in 2019, and Down East in Kinston, NC (Rangers), which was established in 2017 with a 12-year lease.

 

Depending on the date of this memo, the Astros team would have had interest. The Rangers could have been looking for an out, given they've been last in the league in attendance. Not sure how serious they may have been, but it does seem reasonably likely the Brewers expressed interest in moving the Mudcats to Wilmington. Depending on the date, could have even been before the purchase. The Mudcats' facilities are very good though not new, and the market is ok a bit outside of rapidly-growing Raleigh, though being smack dab in Wilmington and playing when people flock to the beaches would probably be an upgrade.

 

Another note - they reference MLB "shared" this internal memo to Carolina league teams with the media. The Astros were the initiator with the Brewers and Orioles support in getting the realignment plan initiated. So pretty easy to guess how MLB was able to obtain and leak this Carolina League internal memo.

[MillerParkSouth]

Manfred is evil

[LincolnDD]

Has anyone found the e-mail that MLB shared, and if it's dated? The MLB-owned Carolina League teams are the Mudcats in Zebulon (Brewers), Fayetteville (Astros) which just moved from Buies Creek, NC in 2019, and Down East in Kinston, NC (Rangers), which was established in 2017 with a 12-year lease.

 

I haven't, but the Mudcats sure sound like a prime candidate. The Down East team does, too. I believe the Astros' affiliate had some sort of clarity on a new ballpark being built when they expanded to the area, so can't see Buies Creek/Fayetteville as the team with interest in Wilmington. The Rangers and Astros were both motivated primarily by getting out of the Cal League rather than owning their own teams, but I could see the Rangers looking for a better situation once they actually finalized their entry into the Carolina League.

 

I think the Red Sox own the Salem franchise, but I believe they're happy in their current facilities.

[LincolnDD]

Not the letter, but from a source that's usually pretty reliable:

 

https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/12/16/manfred-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-minor-leagues/

 

“But whatever the outcome, MLB has assured every public official who has contacted us that MLB will work diligently to preserve organized baseball in a compelling, fan-friendly format in every American city that currently has an affiliate. MILB has not made such a commitment, and even now multiple teams are actively trying to leave their communities for better deals elsewhere.”

True. And some of those teams include MiLB affiliates owned or partially owned by the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox.

 

Quote is from MLB, the reference to the specific teams is from the article's author. Milwaukee, Texas and Boston have three of the four MLB-owned affiliates in the Carolina League. The reference would have to be to the Mudcats in Milwaukee's case. Texas also owns their AA and Low-A teams, so could refer to one of them (though I'd guess they're pretty happy with their AA situation in Frisco). I don't know much about the Red Sox; I know there are some ownership ties to some affiliates, but Salem seems like a fit here as well.

[balsamlaker]

With the decrease in the size of the draft and the delay (if not cancellation) of the minor league system, you have to wonder if Colorado Springs baseball is done.

[SoCalBrewfan]

It is terribly uncharitable of me to think so, but I imagine that Manfred and some owners are cackling in glee in hopes that the affiliated minor leagues will die off as a result of this summer.

[LincolnDD]

It is terribly uncharitable of me to think so, but I imagine that Manfred and some owners are cackling in glee in hopes that the affiliated minor leagues will die off as a result of this summer.

 

Yep

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2020/04/01/coronavirus-crisis-could-see-many-minor-league-teams-shut-down-for-good/?subId3=xid:fr1585742685521hhd#5aaf352664e4

[LincolnDD]

With the decrease in the size of the draft and the delay (if not cancellation) of the minor league system, you have to wonder if Colorado Springs baseball is done.

 

I think it is. I guess more recent negotiations have included one short-season level above the complex leagues if enough teams are interested, but geography is a really big strike against maintaining the Pioneer League even if that were to happen. I think the PL and the Appy are both toast. With the Northwest League reportedly getting the bump up to Low A, the NY-Penn would probably handle what remains of short-season under a new Professional Baseball Agreement (as suggested by Keith Law in an article today). Maybe the two teams they dump from the NWL (especially if Boise is one) could join a new league with some of the PL teams if there's enough interest? Probably still would hurt CS though. Which is a shame, as that's arguably one of the better facilities in short-season ball.

[clancyphile]

It is terribly uncharitable of me to think so, but I imagine that Manfred and some owners are cackling in glee in hopes that the affiliated minor leagues will die off as a result of this summer.

 

Yep

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2020/04/01/coronavirus-crisis-could-see-many-minor-league-teams-shut-down-for-good/?subId3=xid:fr1585742685521hhd#5aaf352664e4

 

If so, then Manfred is cackling at MLB's eventual doom.

 

The fact of the matter is, Major League Baseball is increasingly inaccessible to the average fan. Going to the ballpark is almost prohibitively expensive for the average family.

 

They need the minor leagues to keep the sport accessible to the average family, if only for MLB's own survival 30-40 years down the road.

[nate82]

Reports of a deal that has been accepted that could remove 40+ teams.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/minor-league-baseball-will-accept-mlb-proposal-that-could-cut-more-than-40-teams-report-says/

[Mass Haas]

Reports of a deal that has been accepted that could remove 40+ teams.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/minor-league-baseball-will-accept-mlb-proposal-that-could-cut-more-than-40-teams-report-says/

 

From 100 to 35 rookie-level players?

 

Looks like it.