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Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Benjamin Grimm Oct 09 2017 07:47 PM

New York Mets will buy Syracuse Chiefs, bring its Triple-A team to Syracuse The New York Mets have reached an agreement to buy the Syracuse Chiefs and make the International League baseball team its top minor league affiliate, according to two sources briefed about the deal. Under terms of the agreement, the Mets will acquire ownership of the Triple-A Chiefs from the Community Baseball Club of Central New York Inc., and continue to play its games at NBT Bank Stadium starting in 2019, the sources said. The Mets would own and operate the Syracuse Chiefs, the sources said, bringing in the resources necessary to build a franchise that struggled in recent years with its finances. The Mets have tried since 2009 to consolidate their minor leagues team in New York state and promote their brand statewide. The team's Double-A affiliate is the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The Mets also briefly had their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo at the start of the decade, but did not own and operate the team.

Ceetar Oct 09 2017 07:48 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Boom.

Centerfield Oct 09 2017 07:50 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Wow! Terrific news!

Fman99 Oct 09 2017 07:51 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

. [bigpurple:thfbkfwc]WHOA[/bigpurple:thfbkfwc]

Benjamin Grimm Oct 09 2017 07:55 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I figured Fman would be happiest of anyone about this.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 09 2017 07:56 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

What's especially nice is, since the Mets will own the team, they won't have to play that game of musical chairs every two years. They can settle in at Syracuse for the long term. Now, hopefully, the Nationals will end up getting shunted to the Pacific Coast League.

d'Kong76 Oct 09 2017 08:10 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Cool, we have family there we're feuding with so I won't have see them when we go on a road trip.

Edgy MD Oct 09 2017 08:14 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Just fantastoricially fantastic news.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 09 2017 08:45 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

ROAD TRIP!

Benjamin Grimm Oct 09 2017 08:48 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

So... does this mean that in 2018, the Mets will own the Nationals' affiliate? Or will they have to wait until after the season to officially close the deal?

Edgy MD Oct 09 2017 09:14 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

That's a worthy angle.

seawolf17 Oct 09 2017 10:07 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I hope we keep the Binghamton connection too.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2017 10:10 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

The Wilpons looked into trying to buy the Syracuse affiliate back in whatever year it was they first moved to Buffalo. IIRC, they were deciding between Buffalo & Syracuse at the time. They wound up choosing Buffalo because they preferred their stadium and would have only moved to Syracuse if they could buy the team, but either it wasn't for sale or they couldn't strike the right deal. Then the whole Madoff thing hit and spare cash for buying assets wasn't exactly lying around at that point. That they're in a buying mode now I suppose says at least some things are looking up on the financial side of things. Hey, maybe that's all the saved money from the Granderson/Bruce/Walker/Reed trades being put to use. Fuck you Yanquis and your unwillingness to pick up contracts!!! So... does this mean that in 2018, the Mets will own the Nationals' affiliate? Or will they have to wait until after the season to officially close the deal? Not sure how that'll all be handled. Minor league agreements are for two year increments (or in multiples of two) so you'd think that means the AAA Nats are there for next season. And of course the Nats would still control the players even if the new owners who are running the stadium, ticket sales, promotions, etc. just happen to be part of the enemy. The Braves are the only team I know of who currently own their AAA team. There may be one or two others but usually it's at the lower levels where you find the parent club as the owner. The 'Pons own or partially own the teams in Brooklyn, PSL, and lower level GCL and Kingston (Appy Lg) clubs; not AA Binghamton or low-A Columbia

Ashie62 Oct 09 2017 10:18 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Fman hit the lottery.

Edgy MD Oct 09 2017 10:54 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Point of clarification. Is this the Mets buying the team, or the Wilpons/Sterling?

Fman99 Oct 09 2017 10:55 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

We should have CPF "Bush League" night sometime in 2019, here in the 'Cuse. I know this park inside out; I'd be happy to host.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2017 11:09 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Edgy MD wrote: Point of clarification. Is this the Mets buying the team, or the Wilpons/Sterling? Is there a meaningful distinction?

Edgy MD Oct 09 2017 11:13 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I think so. I think their creditors think so.

cooby Oct 09 2017 11:15 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Fman99 wrote: We should have CPF "Bush League" night sometime in 2019, here in the 'Cuse. I know this park inside out; I'd be happy to host. I'm in!

MFS62 Oct 10 2017 01:31 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Great news. The radio in my latest vehicle can't get the Buffalo station (1520 AM) that used to carry their games. My ride home late at night on Rte 684 was perfect signal skip distance to pick up that station. Later

Mets Willets Point Oct 10 2017 01:38 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Can we bring back the SkyChiefs name, I always thought that was cool?

RealityChuck Oct 10 2017 02:03 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Now there will be two Mets farm clubs within two hours of me. Not that I'm likely to go, but who knows?

batmagadanleadoff Oct 10 2017 02:25 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

The Mets have come full circle. Their original 1962 AAA affiliate was also in Syracuse.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 10 2017 02:25 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Mets Willets Point wrote: Can we bring back the SkyChiefs name, I always thought that was cool? If we use Binghamton as an example, they'll probably change the team's name to something stupid, like "Pocket Jockeys" or "Fancy Boys". I don't really know anything about Syracuse, so I looked at its Wikipedia page: Jesuit missionaries visiting the Syracuse region in the mid 1600s reported salty brine springs around the southern end of "Salt Lake", known today as Onondaga Lake. The 1788 Treaty of Fort Stanwix, and the subsequent designation of the area by the state of New York as the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation provided the basis for commercial salt production from the late 1700s through the early 1900s; brine from wells that tapped into halite (common salt) beds in the Salina shale near Tully, New York, 15 miles south of the city were developed in the 19th century.[4][5] It is the north flowing brine from Tully that is the source of salt for the "salty springs" found along the shoreline of Onondaga lake. The rapid development of this industry in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the nicknaming of Syracuse as "The Salt City". In 1847, the city was officially named after Syracuse, Sicily, which at the time was also famous for its salt mining industry. If "Chiefs" is determined to be politically incorrect, maybe they can give the team a salt-related name. Like the "Salty Parkers", perhaps.

Edgy MD Oct 10 2017 02:46 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

It'd be nice to choose a name that is majestic and Hellenic, as ancient Syracuse was celebrated in its time as perhaps the greatest and loveliest city of ancient Greece. It is also the birthplace of (Metly coincidence) St. Lucy, who is patroness of the city.

MFS62 Oct 10 2017 02:56 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Edgy MD wrote: It'd be nice to choose a name that is majestic and Hellenic, as ancient Syracuse was celebrated in its time as perhaps the greatest and loveliest city of ancient Greece. It is also the birthplace of (Metly coincidence) St. Lucy, who is patroness of the city. The Syracuse Togas? Later

Edgy MD Oct 10 2017 02:57 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Not particularly majestic.

batmagadanleadoff Oct 10 2017 03:03 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

The Syracuse Orange 'n Blue Men.

Frayed Knot Oct 10 2017 03:06 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

According to Wikipedia (so you know it's true) the Syracuse Chiefs has existed in some form since 1934, starting as a AA team (1934-1945), for two seasons as a Single A team (1956-1957), and the remainder at the AAA level (1946-55; 1961-present) which leaves only 1958-60 unaccounted for. The name has been Chiefs since 1934 except for their fling with Sky Chiefs from 1997-2006. No reason is given for either the switch or the switch back. But given both the trend towards the corporatized double names for minor league squads these days* and the Wilpon's penchant for latching onto already well-worn trends, a name/logo/mascot "re-branding" certainly wouldn't come as a surprise. Recent changes, most of them courtesy of 'Brandiose', the California based rebranding company. New Orleans Baby Cakes - formerly Zephyrs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp - formerly Suns Down East Wood Ducks - name changed after relocation Florida Fire Frogs - cuz who doesn't like a frog on fire Hartford Yard Goats etc.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 10 2017 03:10 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

How about the "Majestic Helens"?

Fman99 Oct 10 2017 03:23 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

They had a one night "rebranding" this past season that was very popular (we were there that day). For one game they were named after a local side dish known as "salt potatoes," basically, russets cooked in water liberally salted and served with melted butter. They made some pretty cool hats, jerseys, and swag to go along with it.

Edgy MD Oct 10 2017 03:32 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Frayed Knot wrote: Recent changes, most of them courtesy of 'Brandiose', the California based rebranding company. So, not only are all minor league team's using the same logo designers, but they're being renamed by the same closet of yukks as well. And the same one or two firms seem to get most of the architecture contracts, too. Let's get some variety, baby.

d'Kong76 Oct 10 2017 03:36 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Dang, salt potatoes with an ice-cold old-man beer on tap at The Fair.

RealityChuck Oct 10 2017 06:02 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Actually, I'm disappointed that Washington didn't change the team name to the Syracuse Nationals.

G-Fafif Oct 10 2017 06:07 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

If the Mets are going to own the Syracuse franchise, call it the Syracuse Franchise.

Centerfield Oct 10 2017 07:19 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I don't think it's possible for me to love anything more than I love this picture.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 10 2017 07:27 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Don't mention that to your wife and kids.

Edgy MD Oct 10 2017 07:39 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Mets haven't been affiliated with Syracuse since their introductory year of 1962, and even then, they shared the Chiefs with another organization. I think they might have had players parked on the Chiefs in 1961 also. Only living Mets who came up through the Chiefs include Joe Christopher, Cliff Cook, Ray Daviault, Rick Herrscher, Ed Kranepool, and Lefty Bob Miller.

Vic Sage Oct 10 2017 08:44 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

majestic and Hellenic... how about the Syracuse Butt-Fuckers (NTTAWWT!)

d'Kong76 Oct 10 2017 08:51 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Ass Jammers! Ok, maybe a little too graphic.

Edgy MD Oct 11 2017 12:51 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

And the very next day, The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announces a new stadium for the 51s.

Mets Willets Point Oct 11 2017 04:15 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Build a team of sluggers and call them the A-Salt.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 11 2017 02:52 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Mike Puma, The New York Post wrote: The Mets officially announced their purchase of the Syracuse minor league franchise, which eventually will become their Triple-A team. Though team officials expect the move from Las Vegas to occur in 2019, a source said there is an “outside chance” the relocation to Syracuse will occur next season. The Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate is under contract for Syracuse in 2018. I guess for that "outside chance" to come to fruition, the Nationals would have to agree to some kind of terms. Since there are no Triple-A openings coming up in an even-numbered year, their only alternative, I assume, would be Las Vegas. Would the Mets be able to incent the Nationals to move their affiliate to Vegas for a year? It seems unlikely.

A Boy Named Seo Oct 11 2017 03:20 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Fman99 wrote: They had a one night "rebranding" this past season that was very popular (we were there that day). For one game they were named after a local side dish known as "salt potatoes," basically, russets cooked in water liberally salted and served with melted butter. They made some pretty cool hats, jerseys, and swag to go along with it. Gotta be the same office that turned us from the Isotopes into the Green Chile Cheeseburgers for one night.

Edgy MD Oct 11 2017 05:53 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Way to go, Guv. [tweet:368rqok4]https://twitter.com/ColaFireflies/status/917843876861399040[/tweet:368rqok4]

86-Dreamer Oct 11 2017 07:01 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I am sure Sandy will say that no actual harm was done to our prospect development and evaluation over the last 5 years, but I sure as hell won't miss watching guys drop 300 points of OPS on the way from Vegas to Flushing.

Frayed Knot Oct 11 2017 11:49 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Or y'know they could just change the name to the Syracuse [u:3fa4ujfu]Mets[/u:3fa4ujfu] Turns out that this purchase will make it four clubs who will own, or partially own, their AAA franchise. Only the Yanx, who partly own the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders (that's a lotta letters for the front of a uniform), don't have the team named after the parent. Elsewhere there's the Gwinnett County Braves and the recently renamed Oklahoma City Dodgers who changed the long time Red Hawks nickname when they partially bought in three years ago. Would have been much better had they left it at Red Hawks

Edgy MD Oct 12 2017 12:54 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Reverse the parent team's colors and call them the Syracuse Orangemets.

Ashie62 Oct 12 2017 01:01 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

The Syracuse NorEasters.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 12 2017 05:12 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

G-Fafif wrote: If the Mets are going to own the Syracuse franchise, call it the Syracuse Franchise. I like this more than I can meta-express.

seawolf17 Oct 12 2017 03:08 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Fman99 wrote: They had a one night "rebranding" this past season that was very popular (we were there that day). For one game they were named after a local side dish known as "salt potatoes," basically, russets cooked in water liberally salted and served with melted butter. They made some pretty cool hats, jerseys, and swag to go along with it. Gotta be the same office that turned us from the Isotopes into the Green Chile Cheeseburgers for one night. And the Rochester Garbage Plates. Edgy MD wrote: Reverse the parent team's colors and call them the Syracuse Orangemets. I actually think that might be neat, if a little gimmicky. Maybe as a one-off. Also, yes, it's awesome when worlds collide.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 12 2017 05:01 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

This deal isn't official until the shareholders vote on November 17. They need two-thirds approval, which they're expected to get. (I know longer believe any "expected" voting results, however.) The Mets have said they'll promise to keep the team in Syracuse at least through 2025, when the current stadium deal expires. At that point, if the Mets leave Syracuse, they'll presumably take the team with them, maybe to somewhere closer to New York City. The Mets plan to talk to the Nationals about the 2018 season after the Nationals are done playing. I doubt anything will come of that.

Ceetar Oct 12 2017 05:37 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The Mets plan to talk to the Nationals about the 2018 season after the Nationals are done playing. I doubt anything will come of that. I dunno, the Nats are broke and cheap. You might be able to toss 'em a few bucks and make them go to Vegas.

d'Kong76 Oct 12 2017 05:42 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This deal isn't official until the shareholders vote on November 17. They need two-thirds approval, which they're expected to get. Chiefs shareholders or some kind of Sterling shareholders that I'm not fully aware of?

Frayed Knot Oct 12 2017 05:47 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The Mets have said they'll promise to keep the team in Syracuse at least through 2025, when the current stadium deal expires. At that point, if the Mets leave Syracuse, they'll presumably take the team with them, maybe to somewhere closer to New York City. Essentially what you're buying when you buy a minor league team -- in addition to the lease with the city and other tangible stuff -- is the working agreement with the particular league. If they were to want to leave after the stadium deal is up they'd have to find an area which would be approved by the league which has various population and stadium minimums the new place would have to meet. And then of course there are the territorial restrictions and veto powers that other ML clubs have surrounding "their" cities. I bring those conditions up just in case anyone wants to revert to a favorite demand of Mets fans from back when the agreement with Tidewater was ending that the Mets should simply "move their AAA team to their Coney Island location" -- as if the team was theirs to move in the first place, or as if the Yanx wouldn't object, or as if the CI stadium comes even close to IL standards. When they moved to Buffalo a decade or so back they reportedly chose that over Syracuse because they liked the stadium better. So now that that park has aged another decade (although it only dates back to 1997) I suspect that as the years on this current lease starts to tick down the usual pressure on the city to cough up at least some of the money to either spruce up the existing place or replace it altogether will start to ratchet up. Not sure where else they could threaten to move to though. Ideally they'd want to keep it in the north east but you'd need a decent sized city without a team there now. Are there really that many of those they could find bigger/better/closer than Syracuse yet far away enough from NYC, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, DC, etc.?

Ceetar Oct 12 2017 05:52 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I don't know what the flights are like from Syracuse or if it matters, but I'd imagine there are more from Buffalo giving you a little more flexibility in getting players here. That's minor though but perhaps you could find another place with a better flight schedule if you really wanted.

d'Kong76 Oct 12 2017 05:58 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Airplanes? Let 'em take the bus, it's the minors!

Benjamin Grimm Oct 12 2017 06:05 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

d'Kong76 wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: This deal isn't official until the shareholders vote on November 17. They need two-thirds approval, which they're expected to get. Chiefs shareholders or some kind of Sterling shareholders that I'm not fully aware of? The Chiefs shareholders have to vote to approve the sale.

Ceetar Oct 12 2017 06:09 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

d'Kong76 wrote: Airplanes? Let 'em take the bus, it's the minors! they can take the bus back to AAA, but I'd like the call-ups to get to Queens pronto! You know, I wonder if there's tangible value in how close Citi is to LaGuardia.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 12 2017 06:10 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Frayed Knot wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Not sure where else they could threaten to move to though. Ideally they'd want to keep it in the north east but you'd need a decent sized city without a team there now. Are there really that many of those they could find bigger/better/closer than Syracuse yet far away enough from NYC, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, DC, etc.? Yeah, I don't know, either. I read that Syracuse is the fifth-largest city in New York State, so it would be hard to find a better market without leaving the state. Newark, New Jersey would be ideal, but the Yankees would never allow it. But are we sure that Brooklyn is off the table? If the Mets were to expand the ballpark at Coney Island, would they be able to trade their New York-Penn League rights for similar rights in the International League? Maybe, but I'm not at all sure of that, especially since the NY-Penn League plays a short-season schedule and the IL plays a full season. That could be a key difference. It might be allowed if, in exchange, the Yankees were allowed to do the same in Staten Island.

Edgy MD Oct 12 2017 06:11 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Your all-time Syracuse Chiefs single-season home run leader? Hank Sauer! Hammering Hank hit 50 (50!) along with 141 RBI (141!) in 1947. War and other circumstances had kept the guy to 47 games in the majors to that point, but his magic season catapulted him to a big league career of 288 homers, all but seven hit after the age of 30. Want to grab a bite to eat or host an event while visiting NBT Bank Stadium? Try the Hank Sauer Room, known for its upscale amenities! With a full cocktail bar, large screen TVs and décor rich in baseball history, your guest won't soon forget their night at the ballpark! Try the Sauer-kraut!

d'Kong76 Oct 12 2017 06:23 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Ceetar wrote: they can take the bus back to AAA, but I'd like the call-ups to get to Queens pronto! Syracuse has a fine airport; not sure how big the market is for shuttling planes back and forth to Syracuse (unlike Boston or Washington).

RealityChuck Oct 12 2017 06:34 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

d'Kong76 wrote: they can take the bus back to AAA, but I'd like the call-ups to get to Queens pronto! Syracuse has a fine airport; not sure how big the market is for shuttling planes back and forth to Syracuse (unlike Boston or Washington). Google shows plenty of flights each day. They take about 1 1/2 hours. You could call someone up at 10:00 a.m. and he could be on the field for a day game.

Ceetar Oct 12 2017 06:44 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

According to Travelocity for a random Tuesday there are 3 direct flights from Syracuse to LGA. ~6, 10, and 2. Technically those are all too early for a 'day of' callup if someone shows up to the stadium for the night game and is broken and getting DLd. Of course you could always send them to JFK, it's not like it's that much farther. Of course, Buffalo isn't better in terms of 'direct to LGA' Mets should call up sponsor Delta and try to get a 3:30 SYR-LGA flight on the books. Offer 'em a banner ad in the Syracuse stadium.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 12 2017 06:48 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

It's not just about flights to New York. One advantage that Las Vegas has is that you can probably get a direct flight from there to any big league city where the Mets might be playing. Getting a flight from Syracuse to Cincinnati, or to San Diego, might require making a connection.

Ceetar Oct 12 2017 06:55 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

well, to be honest, it was never really about the travel. That's why there's taxi squads. No one shows up to the park and suddenly goes on the DL unless they were expecting the possibility and then you bring a guy over early just in case anyway. The park itself and the conditions for pitchers in the PCL were undoubtedly of bigger concern.

Frayed Knot Oct 12 2017 07:01 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

But are we sure that Brooklyn is off the table? Well I was talking about how some fans thought the "solution" to the Tides ending their agreement with the Mets was to just unilaterally make Coney Island their AAA squad. As far as if Brooklyn is off the table as a future AAA site? -- well it would certainly clear the population base minimum although the stadium capacity would need to be upped by 50% or more. Not sure how practical/possible that is. But that still leaves the MFY veto and I don't think they'd view Staten Island as a very good locale for AAA so would probably balk at the swap. Would they agree if the Mets told them that they'd raise no objection to any future Yanqui AAA team in Yonkers? White Plains?, Jersey City? Yeah maybe. Not really sure if either ML team even wants their AAA team that close. Short-Season A ball is one thing but AAA seems like a bit of overkill, no? What they have now (or will have) are satellite NYM & MFY bases in mid-NYS in the Mets case and NJ & Eastern PA for the Yanx which expand their fan base rather than concentrate it. On the other hand Atlanta went for the smaller nest option so who knows. On the travel thing: NYM brass would mention the part about how much easier it was to get flights out of LV as compared to most if not all AAA cities as an advantage to having their team way out there ... but I think we all suspect that was just them trying to dress up the situation.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 12 2017 07:13 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I think the availability of flights out of Vegas probably is an advantage over some other Pacific Coast League cities, and probably some International League cities too, but it's heavily outweighed by a bunch of over factors. Maybe it's more of a mitigation than an advantage. And now, a Top Ten List. The Ten Most Populated Cities in New York State: 1. New York City 8,550,405 2. Buffalo 261,025 3. Rochester 210,855 4. Yonkers 197,399 5. Syracuse 145,151 6. Albany 97,660 7. New Rochelle 77,606 8. Mount Vernon 67,780 9. Schenectady 66,273 10 Utica Oneida 62,110 Rochester and Buffalo already have Triple-A franchises. Yonkers is too close to New York. Albany is 150 miles from New York, compared to 246 for Syracuse. I guess that city might be an option. They're currently a short-season Single-A city, and I'm sure they'd love to make the jump to Triple-A. I think, though, that it's more likely that the Mets will leverage Syracuse into improving or replacing the ballpark there.

d'Kong76 Oct 12 2017 08:09 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Surprised Yonkers is fourth, but of course they don't count everyone.

41Forever Oct 12 2017 09:46 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

For the discussion about travel, do you think the Triple-A teams fly commercial, or do they have chartered flights?

Nymr83 Oct 18 2017 07:44 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: 6. Albany 97,660 Albany is 150 miles from New York, compared to 246 for Syracuse. I guess that city might be an option. They're currently a short-season Single-A city, and I'm sure they'd love to make the jump to Triple-A. I think, though, that it's more likely that the Mets will leverage Syracuse into improving or replacing the ballpark there. 97k doesn't tell the full story for Albany though, there are something like 15-20 colleges in the area plus the state government and all the hangers on that go with it.... All of which are out of session during the heart of baseball season, depressing the potential attendance base.

Frayed Knot Oct 18 2017 08:05 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Albany is 150 miles from New York, compared to 246 for Syracuse. I guess that city might be an option. They're currently a short-season Single-A city, and I'm sure they'd love to make the jump to Triple-A. There doesn't seem to be any team in Albany these days (acc to BB-Ref) not since 2002 as an independent league team. The last time they were in an affiliated league was in the AA Eastern Lg from 1983-1994. That was the city the Yanx abandoned for Trenton and they've not had a team since. The park, which had been a depression-era WPA project, has since been demolished. I once played golf on the grounds of that park which was briefly turned into a (not very good) golf course after its baseball days were done. IIRC you teed off from the 1st hole with the skeleton of the stadium at your back. So not only do they not have the track record of Syracuse but they'd have to start from scratch with a new building.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 18 2017 08:08 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

It's kind of funny that the Mets haven't even moved to Syracuse yet and we're already plotting their exit. I think that, chances are, they'll be in Syracuse well beyond 2025.

Nymr83 Oct 18 2017 10:44 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Which would be just fine. The Mets threw around their cash to vastly improve their AAA situation permanently. Awesome.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 18 2017 10:55 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I agree. It's great that they'll soon be done with the Pacific Coast League.

Farmer Ted Oct 19 2017 07:47 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I thought Hartford could be a contender for the Mets AAA team when this Tides-Bisons,-Zephyrs-51s musical chairs fiasco started. Just 110 miles to Citi Field and currently a AA town with the Yard Goats affiliated with the Rockies. Brand spanking new stadium with over 6,000 max.

Frayed Knot Oct 19 2017 08:19 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Farmer Ted wrote: Brand spanking new stadium with over 6,000 max. Which is about half the size of a typical AAA park. Making a quick check of all the Int'l Lg stadiums finds they all seem to be in the 10 - 17 K range so I'm guessing that 10K is probably the minimum requirement for that league. Not sure if the city of Hartford itself -- pop = 125K and now only the 4th largest city within Connecticut behind Bridgeport, New Haven, and Stamford -- would qualify.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 20 2017 12:50 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Purchase price of the Chiefs is reportedly $18 million. (That's almost as much as the Mets sold for in 1980.) That $18 million will become $18 million if David Wright retires.

Valadius Oct 22 2017 06:27 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

About damn time the AAA affiliate made any kind of sense again. I could go for either the Syracuse Sicilians or the Syracuse Spartans.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 18 2017 12:30 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

The sale to the Mets was officially approved by the Syracuse Chiefs shareholders today. http://www.syracuse.com/chiefs/index.ss ... _mets.html

d'Kong76 Nov 18 2017 01:57 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I'm very happy about this, I hope it works out well and lasts for years and years.

Frayed Knot Nov 18 2017 02:23 AM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Simply the fact that they now own it means that the version of musical cities that's gone on with the AAA affiliate since the breakup with Norfolk has come to an end. That it's doing so in the right part of the country and in a city with a lengthy history of supporting that level of baseball makes it better still. The only way this moves again in the near future is if the 'pons get a better deal/stadium from some other city but, as we discussed before (probably earlier in this thread) there just aren't a lot of logical choices that are obviously superior. I think there may be some pressure put on the the city/county/state to upgrade or replace the facility once the honeymoon period is over, but hopefully that gets solved with proper negotiations rather than threats although as GHW Bush (aka: Gropin' George) once said, "watch your wallets".

Ceetar Jan 03 2018 08:29 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Cuomo mentions this in the State of the State, says they'll be the Syracuse Mets but like, immediately? or in 2019 when the Mets actually take over? Or is he just stating, in the state of the state, what we already know, that the Mets have agreed to terms? That seems more likely.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 04 2018 02:10 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Cuomo: Syracuse Chiefs will become Syracuse Mets in 2019 Chiefs General Manager Jason Smorol, asked about Cuomo's speech, would confirm only that the team will change its name in 2019 when the Mets move their Triple-A affiliate from Las Vegas to Syracuse. He would not disclose the new name. "We'll have more to say about it later," Smorol said. "I don't think right now is the time to delve into that. When we're ready to make the official announcement, we'll make the official announcement.''

Edgy MD Jan 04 2018 02:54 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

What a mess for the Nats.

Fman99 Jan 04 2018 03:14 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Syracuse Mets, love it. I will buy fucktons of merch that say that.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 04 2018 03:21 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I don't know. I have a feeling that they'll end up with some stupid "marketable" name, like "Spaghetti Thumpers" or something like that.

Ceetar Jan 04 2018 03:45 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

I'm on team "it's own identity" over just calling them the Mets. they're not the Mets, they're players that want to be the Mets. can keep sky chiefs though.

Nymr83 Jan 04 2018 06:57 PM Re: Mets Triple-A affiliate coming to Syracuse in 2019!

Edgy MD wrote: What a mess for the Nats. ain't it great?