Nationals Farm Authority

The minor league affiliation merry-go-round has almost completed its final rotation for the Nationals. As of today, the Nationals only outstanding player development contract is with their short season affiliate, Vermont of the New York/Penn League in 2006. There had been rumblings that the Nationals were considering the relocation of their Short Season team to a location closer to Washington much like they did with Hagerstown and Columbus. Unfortunately for the Nationals, the closer options are quickly disappearing.

The latest:

• The Pittsburgh Pirates switched their NY/Penn team from Williamsport, PA to State College, PA (four year deal). The owners of the State College Spikes also own another Pirates affiliate in Altoona.
• The Philadelphia Phillies have switched their NY/Penn team from Batavia, NY to the now vacant Williamsport affiliate (two-year deal). Another instance of moving an affiliate closer to a parent organization.
• The St Louis Cardinals wrap up the musical chairs moving from State College to Batavia (two-year deal).
• At present the Jamestown Jammers and the Florida Marlins have not agreed on extending an agreement.

Where does that leave the Nationals?

1. The Nationals can return to Burlington, VT on a two-year deal and revisit this in 2008
2. The Nationals can seek an agreement with Jamestown, NY which would move their Short Season affiliate somewhat closer (about 180 miles or 3 hours closer)
3. The Nationals can abandon a Short Season team and purchase the Appalachian League affiliate in Pulaski, that was left by Toronto. This would put the Nationals approximately 230 miles or about 5 hours closer. The issue here would be NY/Penn league would be left with two open affiliates (Burlington and Jamestown) and only one parent organization (Florida).

It will be interesting to see how this all works out.