At the conclusion of the 2008 season, the Player Development Contract (PDC) merry-go-round will get spinning in earnest again. There are going to be several MLB teams with expiring PDCs (see here). The Nationals will see their PDCs expire in Columbus, Hagerstown and Vermont.
The rumors are already out there about the chances of some new shifts in MLB/Triple-A partnerships (plus the Braves may be relocating their Richmond affiliate further south to a suburb of Atlanta). Expiring in 2008 are the following Triple-A agreements:
International League (AAA)
- Buffalo Bisons - Cleveland
- Columbus Clippers - Washington
- Durham Bulls - Tampa Bay
- Indianapolis Indians - Pittsburgh
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs - Philadelphia
- Rochester Red Wings - Minnesota
- Syracuse Chiefs - Toronto
Pacific Coast League (AAA)
- Albuquerque Isotopes - Florida
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox - Colorado
- Fresno Grizzlies - San Francisco
- Las Vegas 51s - Los Angeles Dodgers
- Memphis Redbirds - St. Louis
- New Orleans Zephyrs - New York Mets
- Omaha Royals - Kansas City
- Portland Beavers - San Diego
- Round Rock Express - Houston
- Tacoma Rainiers - Seattle
- Tucson Sidewinders - Arizona
Several of these agreements seem most likely to simply be renewed. Philadelphia is beginning its partnership with Lehigh Valley in 2008 so it’s almost a lock they’ll re-up some time in 2008. PDCs for Colorado, Las Vegas, Memphis, Omaha, Round Rock, Tacoma and Tucson also seem likely candidates for renewal. Florida/Albuquerque and Mets/New Orleans could be open to changes.
There are rumblings from International League affiliates that change is a strong possibility:
- Syracuse might be angling to partner up with the Mets
- Columbus is scheduled to open their new ballpark in 2009 and there has been discussion the Clippers might be targeting the Cleveland Indians to open it up, further co-locating Cleveland’s affiliates (their Double-A affiliate is in Akron)
That would leave the Nationals and Blue Jays (from Syracuse) without a partner with Buffalo (IL) and New Orleans (PCL) as the unpartnered Triple-A franchises. Buffalo and Toronto would seem like an ideal match from a proximity point of view (they are less than a 100 mile drive apart). So, when the dust settled, the Nationals would have a choice of returning to New Orleans or trying to convince Indianapolis (Pirates), Rochester (Twins) or Durham (Rays) that they’d be a better partner for the next two seasons (minimum) or the worst case scenario (from a getting players back & forth POV) Albuquerque.
It’s going to be interesting to see how these things flesh out.
(later this week, the other expiring agreements)
Louis J. | 15-Jan-08 at 4:28 pm | Permalink
Washington and the Durham Bulls brings back memories of “Bull Durham” the movie. That would be an interesting AAA franchise. Buffalo has a great ballpark and Albuquerque’s field is a hitters paradise. I can see the reason for Cleveland’s move to Columbus. The same reason for the Nats to move to Richmond.
One more month | 15-Jan-08 at 5:24 pm | Permalink
The Braves announced that they are abandoning Richmond today, I believe. This would be a good situation for the Nats, and a good chance for the Lerners to show they are serious about putting money into the system by putting money into the Richmond stadium. They need to take over as much of the Virginia market as they can, and I wish they had taken over Norfolk instead of the Orioles.
In the meantime, though, I want to take advantage of cheap flights to Columbus to catch a couple of games with my brother in the Midwest this year.
Marc | 16-Jan-08 at 9:54 am | Permalink
It just seems like once we lost out on Norfolk the return to New Orleans was inevitable. Columbus will want Cleveland and New Orleans will not be moved due to political issues. We need to find a AAA club to buy and move to Richmond . . . any idea what the ownership groups and stadium issues are in the the International League cities?
Pilchard | 16-Jan-08 at 12:42 pm | Permalink
Would be very disappointed if the Nats return to New Orleans.
What is currently the weakest AAA market/stadium combination? Seems like the Nats would need to align with that franchise and then move it to Richmond if/when Richmond decides to build a new park. If its in the PCL, the Nats would need to get another team to move to the IL to keep an even number in each league, but that should not be a big issue as there are a couple of PCL franchises (Memphis and Nashville) that are better suited to play in IL and would save significant travel costs if they moved leagues.
Brian Oliver | 16-Jan-08 at 1:12 pm | Permalink
Pilchard - To me, that’s just too many moving parts. In my opinion, the best scenario for Richmond is for Art Silber to move the P-Nats there as a Carolina League affiliate. He can then try and work with Richmond to upgrade the facilities with designs on securing a return to Triple-A some time in the future (if he wants to).
I just don’t see any weak bonds in the IL for the Lerners to go after as most of the teams are pretty stable in their respective cities.
Louis J. | 16-Jan-08 at 4:01 pm | Permalink
Brian
How does Art Silber become a AAA franchise. He would have to apply to the Int’l League for membership which, if accepted, would give them 15 teams. Since their are only 14 PDC to be allocated, an existing owner would be without a team. I still see only an Ottawa situation as an answer in a Richmond move, that is, an existing AAA team must be purchased and the new owner moves it to Richmond.
Louis J. | 16-Jan-08 at 4:17 pm | Permalink
Brian
Follow up- Since there are only 30 AAA franchises and only 30 ML teams, one has to move to Richmond and affiliate w/ the Nats for the Nats to end up in Richmond.
Brian Oliver | 16-Jan-08 at 6:53 pm | Permalink
Louis - It would be a long term solution. He would have to wait until a franchise became available and then could look to promoting his franchise up. I’m not suggesting he’s going to do this, but it’s not that unusual, see Round Rock which turned itself into a Triple-A franchise by establishing itself as a Double-A first
Louis J. | 16-Jan-08 at 9:49 pm | Permalink
Brian
I understand. Would be nice if we had a Nolan Ryan who owned a franchise. I enjoy your farm system analysis so far. I only saw Baez briefly at P-Nats before he was hurt. He looks good but… Also, Jack Spradlin has potential.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 17-Jan-08 at 8:39 am | Permalink
Louis & Brian — I’m not sure the folks in Richmond are any more likely to build a new stadium than Prince William County, not to mention there will be larger and more moneyed AA suitors.
Louis J. | 17-Jan-08 at 10:30 am | Permalink
Wooden U.
Your right! I checked with my business contacts in Richmond who indicated that the political and ecomonical climate in Richmond is not conducive for building a new stadium. The city wants to develop a site along the river (where they would like to locate a new stadium) which has significant flooding and drainage problems. An alternate site a little down river has drainage, engineering and development issues. There is no political commitment or passion for a new stadium. Of course there is always the funding problem at a time when both the City and the Commonwealth have budget problems. The current stadium -THE DIAMOND- which is located in a less than desirable industrial area also has drianage problems and suffers from old age. It requires a major renovation which the city does not want to do on that site.
Because of these factors, you can see why the Braves are letting out while they can after all of those years in Richmond and moving to the friendly suburbs of Atlanta. I too have changed my mind about moving to Richmond. Instead, the friendly suburbs of Richmond -Henrico County- would be a more desirable and receptive area for a move of the P-Nats.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 17-Jan-08 at 5:59 pm | Permalink
Louis J - Personally, I think there’s still a decent chance for a new stadium to be built in Potomac. Folks are mainly bickering over who’s gonna pay, but it’s certainly easier to build on an existing, publicly owned site than for a private entity to acquire an alternate site in Northern Virginia with adequate infrastructure.
It would be wise to look at the example of how Brockton, MA was able to build a similar-sized facility during similar economic conditions (2001-2002) using a variety of both public and private funds, bonds, and funding from the league itself. Key to that project was a facility — the Shaw’s center — that could be used year-round and further generate revenues. And this was done on a smaller site with more congestion and more adjoining properties.
Terry Byrom | 18-Jan-08 at 7:46 am | Permalink
I hope everyone is having a good winter thus far, just 11 weeks to the MiLB opening day!
This discussion has happened before, but just as a refresher. IF the Nats end up being in New Orleans again, they can’t just arbitrarily move the team to Richmond. The Nationals would have to purchase an existing International League franchise, probably somewhere between $13m and $15, then move it and operate it. Obviously the operations part of it would involve more money.
Now how many of us think the Nats care THAT much there in Richmond to spend upwards of $15,000,000 to purchase a team and move it? And by the way, IF they were to do that, they would be only the second MLB team to completely own their AAA franchise, the Braves being the other.
As for me, I don’t care where they play AAA at and if they actually have that kind of money “laying around” I’d rather see it spent on players.
Again, a MLB team can not move it’s AAA franchise.
Current MiLB owners purchased Ottawa and are moving that franchise to Allentown and the Phillies have signed a PDA with them. The Phillies had nothing to do with the purchase.
The owners of the Richmond Braves, who happen to be the Atlanta Braves, are moving that team to Gwinnet.
I hope this makes sense.
Louis J. | 18-Jan-08 at 10:57 am | Permalink
Terry
I understand! There does not appear to be an IL-AAA team interested in moving considering everybodies’ new/nenovated stadium & lease deals. AND, I personal don’t care where any of the minor league affiliates are located.
My comments were more in line with marketing strategies to develop more “revenue streams” as Kasten is so fond of reminding us. There is a finite amount of “revenue streams” you can generate from concession stands, advertising and ticket sales and “revenue steams” have a direct bearing on how successful the Nationals team will be. Because the Virginia & Maryland baseball markets were dormant for 33 years, the Nats must focus on “REBRANDING” these markets as Nationals “spheres of influences” for increasing their “revenue streams”. One of the participants in my season ticket group is a local who relocated to Richmond area. The same Richmond group has 8 club seats for Redskins games costing about $20,000 annually. And, there are Reskins fans that travel from North Carolina too attend games in DC. There is money out there to be had if the Nationals can promote their product. Establishing local baseball franchises in key Virginia markets is a way of promoting the Nationals’ product. The P-Nats in Woodbridge (only 15 miles from the new stadium) provides very little marketing help for the Nationals. In fact each Nationals radio/tv broadcast provides more marketing help for the P-Nats.
MLB ownership of minor league teams and other profit ideas will change as MLB teams look for more “revenue streams”. A Red Sox subsidiary recently purchased the Salem Class A team in the Carolinia League after this same subsidiary purchased a 50% interest in the Roush Racing Team (NASCAR). Do you think they won’t purchase their AAA affiliate if they saw it as an additional “revenue stream”?
I’m not convinced that Kasten is the right leader for the Nationals. Washington, DC and our suburbs are not Atlanta. Atlanta has the Falcons and Georgia Tech and DC area has THE REDSKINS & THE RAVENS. Kasten built a winning baseball franchise in Atlanta that was borring and couldn’t fill the stadium. The Philadelphis Flyers entered the Philadelphia market in 1966 and by 1970 the “THE BROAD STREET BULLIES” took over the sports landscrape in that area selling out every game and more sports merchandise than the other sports teams in Philly.
“THE PLAN” created by Kasten is a carbon copy of his Atlanta plan and will have the same results as the every methodical and mediocre Bullets/Wizards. When opportunity knocks, Kasten can’t find the doorknob!
By the way, if the New Orleans AAA franchise was purchased by the Nats, they could leave the PCL and petition to join the IL if they could convince another PCL (Nashville or Memphis) to leave and join them in the IL.
I’m sorry for the rant but I believe the Nationals problem is Stan Kasten and not Jim Bowden.
Pilchard | 18-Jan-08 at 12:57 pm | Permalink
Louis,
I agree, but would only add that the problem is both Kasten and Bowden. However, it does appear that the Nats do have a solid player development staff under Bowden, led by Mike Rizzo which mitigates the damage that Bowden can do.
As for Richmond, realize that New Orleans or some other inconvenient market will likely be Nats AAA home for the near future as Richmond is not close to taking the steps needed to drawing another AAA franchise away from another City.
That said, would not be shocked if 5 years or more from now, if some forward thinking entrepreneur and/or city planner comes up with a workable stadium concept which would create the necessary incentive for the Nats to buy out an existing AAA franshise and bring the Nats AAA affliate to Richmond. As Louis said, the Nats have an interest in making the entire Commonwealth of Virginia Nats territory, and it would be great to have the Nats highest ranking affliate an hour and half down the road from DC and in VA’s biggest city.
NatsInNC | 18-Jan-08 at 2:39 pm | Permalink
From an article in BA, it sounds like AAA is not likely to return to Richmond, but two Carolina League teams have already contacted the city.
THE ANSWER for the Nats is Durham, whose AAA agreement with the Rays expires at the same time as the Nats agreement with Columbus. BTW, the Nats, not the Braves, are our closest MLB team.
We should start a campaign down here….
Louis J. | 18-Jan-08 at 2:54 pm | Permalink
Pilchard
I hate to continue BUT…. First, I checked, every IL-AAA franchise has a new stadium w/ long, long term leases; is in good financial condition; has a cooperative business relationship with their city and isn’t going to move; second, AAA minor league franchises are worth $15M-$25M and as Terry said, would you rather the Nats spend that money on an AAA franchise or player contracts (prospects, free agents or existing players) and finally, this group will not spend $15M-$25M on anything.
I respectfully disagree with your Jim Bowden comments. Stan Kasten runs this operation and Bowden was not his choice but Mark Lerner’s choice. I believe that Bowden does not have a contract and is auditioning for a permanent job and can be fired at ant time especially if he doesn’t following Kasten directives. I believe that Bowden does not have the freedom to complete a deal without Kasten’s approval evidenced by the fact that Kasten was involved in the actual “meetings” with Elijah Dukes.
I believe Bowden has had some great deals: the Kearns-Lopez-Wagner deal; finding some sucker to take the Vidro & Henandez contracts off the payroll; the Soriano deal which gave us fans a great year of Soriano instead of Wilkerson et al and Smoker & Jordan Zimmermann as draft selections; the timing of the Wily Mo Pena trade when Boston had to dump him for a minor player we didn’t have; the Dukes deal where Dukes has more potential than Gibson; acquiring Belliard, Young, Redding, Colome, Albaladejo who was traded for Clippard, Chico, Mock, Milliage & Flores and that great 2007 draft (designated by experts as the best) where he signed the first 20 draft choices. When evaluating Bowden, the public has been negatively influenced by the media and his personality and not by his deals. Remember, Bowden is a lot better than the Orioles GM who spent $42M for relief pitchers who couldn’t pitch.
Pilchard | 18-Jan-08 at 4:18 pm | Permalink
Louis,
For the 2nd time, I’ve read this thread, and realize that it would be a difficult/expensive endeavor to buy another franchise and move it to Richmond. I also realize that Richmond currently does not have the facilities in place to even make that a possibility right now.
However, also as pointed out in this thread multiple AAA franchises have been relocated over the last 5 years: Round Rock (Astros), Lehigh Valley (Phillies) and Gwinnett County (Braves). In each instance the MLB team at issue moved the existing franchise to a locale closer to their MLB team as there is a synergy created from doing that. You make it sound as if no AAA team will ever move again and all AAA locations are now set in perpituity. Obviously that is not the case. As stated above the Nats putting a AAA team in Richmond is not something that will happen in the near future, but if circumstances change, it could happen at some distant point. OK?
As for Bowden, I am not about to give him credit for the club’s draft picks as it is my understanding that Mike Rizzo is in charge of that; I really doubt that is was Bowden who scouted Jordan Zimmerman’s D III games in Wisconsin . The Nats under Bowden have made some good moves and some bad ones, but other than the Soriano deal, none have had a direction changing impact on the franchise IMO.
Many cite to the Kearns/Lopez for Bray/Majewski/Thompson deal as Bowden biggest steal, but Lopez has been flop to the point where many thought he should’ve been let go after last year, and Kearns (who I still have hope for) has been at best a mediocre corner OFer. I am far from convicned that either player (or Ryan Wagner) will be a key player in the Nats future success. Also, lets wait see what becomes of Bray, Thompson and even Majewski (if he ever is healthy again) before gloating over that deal. Same can be said of the Dukes and Clippard trades.
I do think that the Nats have assembled a solid scouting department. I am just suspect at whether the Bowden/Kasten team is the right tandem to lead this team to future glory.
Gary | 19-Jan-08 at 10:23 pm | Permalink
Richmond makes better sense to be AAA for the Nats next year. But, there’s NO telling how all this shakes out.
If nothing else, Durham COULD be the backup plan. You need close proximity these days.
Here’s a crazy thought: could (conceivably) RFK be used to put a AAA team there for the Nats?? I told you it’s a crazy thought…
Terry Byrom | 20-Jan-08 at 6:20 pm | Permalink
Gary,
The Nationals can’t put their AAA team in Richmond or in RFK unless they buy an existing AAA International League franchise ($15m to $20m) and get approval to move them. The Orioles would NEVER approve a AAA team for the Nats in DC.
The Nats can’t just arbitrarily move their AAA team to wherever they want, it doesn’t work that way. And when all is said and done, proximity isn’t that big of a deal.
Yes it is better if the AAA team is “close”, but the only reason it’s a big deal would be to move players back and forth. With the AA team just 100 miles away and the high A team very close, there are two places that are easy to get to for MLB rehabs.
TB
Gary | 24-Jan-08 at 6:23 pm | Permalink
Hey, I said it was a crazy thought. I thought with RFK sitting there empty, that SOME use could come of it.
I always envisioned AAA ball @ RFK, and calling them the Senators (OK, call me sentimental). But, I’ll take Terry’s word for it.