The Mahoning Valley Scrappers have extended their PDC with the Indians to 2012. This is one that was pretty much a definite renewal.
There are now 8 Short Season A PDCs expiring in 2010:
Aberdeen IronBirds – Baltimore (signed through 2010)
Auburn Doubledays – Toronto (signed through 2010)
Batavia Muckdogs – St. Louis (signed through 2010)
Hudson Valley Renegades – Tampa Bay (signed through 2010)
Jamestown Jammers – Florida (signed through 2010)
Tri-City ValleyCats – Houston (signed through 2010)
Vermont Lake Monsters – Washington (signed through 2010)
Vancouver Canadians – Oakland (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
The Arkansas Travelers have extended their PDC with the Angels to 2012. I thought there was a reasonable likelihood that the Travelers would entertain other teams (although only the Brewers were a real possibility), but they chose to extend their current affiliation. So with this, I expect both Erie and Huntsville to remain with their respective major league teams and all of AA will remain the same as last year.
Only 2 AA PDCs are slated to expire in 2010:
Erie SeaWolves – Detroit (signed through 2010)
Huntsville Stars – Milwaukee (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
In the first official affiliation change for the 2011 season, the Bluefield franchise of the Appalachian League has agreed on a four year deal with the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays left the Appy League abruptly after the 2006 season and left Pulaski without a team in 2007. But it’s good to see them back in the league.
The Royals have extended both of their Rookie level affiliates to 2012 by agreeing on extensions with Burlington of the Appalachian League and the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League. Still don’t quite understand why they need two, but I won’t complain.
So now the Appalachian League is set for 2011. Also, think it’s worth noting that today the Blue Jays and Royals announced a number of changes which did not include the Blue Jays talking about Las Vegas or Auburn, and the Royals not extending with the Burlington Bees. So I think there is a good chance that they are looking at other options there.
There are now just 2 teams that will be available:
Casper Ghosts – Colorado (signed through 2010)
Missoula Osprey – Arizona (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
The Wilmington Blue Rocks have extended their PDC with the Royals to 2012. The Blue Rocks were with the Royals since 1993 before ending the relationship to sign with the Red Sox for two years (2005-2006), but after that, I think that both sides realized that they were a better match and got back together in 2007 and I expect these two to remain together for a while.
There are now 8 High A teams with expiring PDCs.
Bakersfield Blaze – Texas (signed through 2010)
High Desert Mavericks – Seattle (signed through 2010)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – Anaheim (signed through 2010)
San Bernardino Inland Empire 66ers – Los Angeles (signed through 2010)
Kinston Indians – Cleveland (signed though 2010)
Lynchburg Hillcats – Cincinnati (signed through 2010)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans – Atlanta (signed through 2010)
Potomac Nationals – Washington (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
The Clinton LumberKings have extended their PDC with the Mariners to 2012. I expected the Mariners to stay in the Midwest League and they chose to extend this relationship.
The Lansing Lugnuts have extended their PDC with the Blue Jays to 2012. Having the affiliate in Michigan is a good option for them.
Now 7 Low A PDCs expiring in 2010:
Bowling Green Hot Rods – Tampa Bay (signed through 2010)
Burlington Bees – Kansas City (signed through 2010)
Kane County Cougars – Oakland (signed through 2010)
Quad Cities River Bandits – St. Louis (signed through 2010)
Augusta GreenJackets – San Francisco (signed through 2010)
Hagerstown Suns – Washington (signed through 2010)
Lakewood Blue Claws – Philadelphia (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
The Yakima Bears have extended their PDC with the Diamondbacks to 2012. This continues the affiliation that has been together since 2001.
There are now 9 Short Season A PDCs expiring in 2010:
Aberdeen IronBirds – Baltimore (signed through 2010)
Auburn Doubledays – Toronto (signed through 2010)
Batavia Muckdogs – St. Louis (signed through 2010)
Hudson Valley Renegades – Tampa Bay (signed through 2010)
Jamestown Jammers – Florida (signed through 2010)
Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Cleveland (signed through 2010)
Tri-City ValleyCats – Houston (signed through 2010)
Vermont Lake Monsters – Washington (signed through 2010)
Vancouver Canadians – Oakland (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
The West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx have announced that they are changing their name to the Jackson Generals for the 2011 season. My first thought is that it was odd that they would take the name from the Texas League team that played in Mississippi from 1991-1999. But the team was first used for the team that played in Tennessee in the Kitty League from 1935-1942 and 1950-1954, so I’m glad that they chose to take a name from the city’s baseball past rather than trying to come up with a trendy name that seems good at first, but doesn’t have much staying power.
Today I went to the Brad Bergesen autograph signing at the Wendy’s in Halethorpe, MD (although I think it is actually within the Baltimore city limits). There were about 100 or so people there. What was nice is that they were giving away additional items like a free Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Combo Meal coupon and leftover giveaway items from Orioles games this season, so I was able to get a Felix Pie T-Shirt. Good for #411.
The Charlotte Knights have extended their PDC with the White Sox to 2014. They should be building a new stadium there, so it looks like the White Sox will get to enjoy it. With that, I think the Blue Jays will remain in the Pacific Coast League for next year. Since I think that there are a few stragglers who haven’t quite extended, I think that the only truly available options will be Las Vegas, Nashville and Oklahoma which the Blue Jays, Brewers and Astros will fight over.
There are now 7 AAA PDCs expiring in 2010.
Pawtucket Red Sox – Boston (signed through 2010)
Las Vegas 51s – Toronto (signed through 2010)
Nashville Sounds – Milwaukee (signed through 2010)
Oklahoma RedHawks – Texas (signed through 2010)
Portland Beavers – San Diego (signed through 2010)
Round Rock Express – Houston (signed through 2010)
Sacramento River Cats – Oakland (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
The Williamsport Crosscutters have extended their PDC with the Phillies to 2012. It’s good for the Phillies to continue to have their NY-Penn League affiliate in the state of Pennsylvania.
There are now 10 Short Season A PDCs expiring in 2010:
Aberdeen IronBirds – Baltimore (signed through 2010)
Auburn Doubledays – Toronto (signed through 2010)
Batavia Muckdogs – St. Louis (signed through 2010)
Hudson Valley Renegades – Tampa Bay (signed through 2010)
Jamestown Jammers – Florida (signed through 2010)
Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Cleveland (signed through 2010)
Tri-City ValleyCats – Houston (signed through 2010)
Vermont Lake Monsters – Washington (signed through 2010)
Vancouver Canadians – Oakland (signed through 2010)
Yakima Bears – Arizona (signed through 2010)
http://minorleaguesource.com/pdc.html
