Bisons new parent club?

[Snarf]

It is not much of a secret the Cleveland Indians will leave the Bisons at the end of the 2008 season and have hook up with the Columbus Clippers. Columbus has a new stadium opening in 2009 and their is pressure on the Tribe to have their top farm club in Ohio so they can put games on Sports Time Ohio. So the question is who would you like to see as the parent club of the Bisons. While I think most people around Buffalo are Yankees fans, the Yankees are locked into Scranton and will not be coming here. Rumors have had the Mets coming here because Buffalo is a hell of a lot closer then New Orleans, the Pirates coming here because of Neal Huntington as the new GM. Other rumors have the Jays coming to Buffalo if they get booted from Syracuse. There are positives and negatives to each team.

The Mets do have a following here, while not as big as the Yankees, Red Sox or Indians but they would get some intrest. But there is a reason their farm club is in New Orleans now. They put a bad team on the field most years, and nobody in the IL wanted them.

The Pirates put an average team on the field. They make the playoffs sometimes, and miss it sometimes. They are a close team and the guys running the team came from Cleveland so they know the Bisons. But the Bisons booted the Bucs in 1994 to hook up with Cleveland. Yeah things have changed a lot, but it's almost like been there done that.

The Blue Jays would make since seeing Toronto is about two hours away. Rumors have the Syracuse Chiefs making a big push for the Mets, which would leave the Jays seeking a new Triple A team. But the Jays put losing team after losing team on the field. The Chiefs have not made the playoffs since 1998 and they were swept by the Bisons in the first round.

The Washington Nationals may be the only other team looking for a farm club, but it seems they may be the one team in the east forced to have their Triple A club in the PCL.

I wish Cleveland would have a change of heart like they did when everyone thought they were gone when Toledo was opening up their new stadium.

[CoachC.]

I remember watching the Bisons when the Pirates were our parent team.

Orlando Merced, Orestes Destrade, and Kevin Young were just youngins trying to make it to the Bigs.

Personally, I'd like to see them with either the Mets or Jays.

Both of those organizations seem to do pretty well with their farm systems for the most part. Pittsburgh would be uneventful. The Nats would be a horrible fit for Buffalo.

[ckg68]

What may work in Buffalo's favor is this:

There was much talk that Cleveland would say bye bye to Buffalo after 2002,when Toledo's Fifth Third Field was ready to open-and that the Mud Hens would become the Tribe's top team. When all was said and done,Cleveland still reupped with Buffalo anyway.

The Jays' farm system,however,is very hit and miss. For every prospect that sticks in The Big Smoke(i.e. Alex Rios),there's another who can't crack the lineup(which see,Adam Lind)or who can't quite get there. (And,to back up Snarf,I had been hearing talk of this for a while;someone basically said the exact same thing you did about Syracuse making a push for the Mets while I was at a Batavia Muckdogs game last year.)

(I should add that no matter what,I'll still root for Cleveland.)

Preferences(assuming Cleveland does not reup with Buffalo):

1. Toronto(and if they do,PLEASE give the logo a redesign!)
2. Pittsburgh(Coach: Don't sell the Bucs farm system short. They do have some good prospects there. It's just the parent team that sucks.)

[ckg68]

On that note:

Atlanta's moving their Triple A team out of Richmond and into Gwinnett County for the 2009 season. The new stadium will have permanent seating for 7,000 and can hold 3,000 on the grass berms. (Memo to the designers: You'd better have enough room to expand the place.)

They're on the web at http://www.gwinnettbraves.com/ .

[BanditsRock11]

This sucks.

I guess the Mets would be cool though.

[Snarf]

On that note:

Atlanta's moving their Triple A team out of Richmond and into Gwinnett County for the 2009 season. The new stadium will have permanent seating for 7,000 and can hold 3,000 on the grass berms. (Memo to the designers: You'd better have enough room to expand the place.)

They're on the web at http://www.gwinnettbraves.com/ .

The stadium is going to be bigger. When the original designs were made, it was being built thinking an independent league team would play there. Now that the RBraves are moving there it is going to be up to Triple A standards.

[CoachC.]

The Jays' farm system,however,is very hit and miss. For every prospect that sticks in The Big Smoke(i.e. Alex Rios),there's another who can't crack the lineup(which see,Adam Lind)or who can't quite get there.

I was at SU when Carlos Delgado was mashing for the Chiefs. He was a beast.

And yeah, I know the Bucs farm is often pretty stacked, I just meant that having a new team to link up with (one we've never been with) would be energetic for the area.

[ckg68]

The stadium is going to be bigger. When the original designs were made, it was being built thinking an independent league team would play there. Now that the RBraves are moving there it is going to be up to Triple A standards.

Odds are that they'll have to put a second deck on it,as they don't really have much room to expand. (It's not unheard of;Kane County(of the Class A Midwest League)did this when they expanded their ballpark over the offseason(more likely,it was to put new suites in-which they never really had.) Retail is also planned for the whole project,as well as a hotel near the new ballpark(much like Ottawa had a Hampton Inn near their baseball stadium).

[Billsman]

Great reading your posts guys, being new to the Bisons I don't know all their history.
Toronto - they still have a franchise? lol
Mets- That would be cool.
Cleveland - Very nice

[C Darwin]

Dorn Taylor and Vencente Palacios should not be forgotten from 88.

[ckg68]

Dorn Taylor and Vencente Palacios should not be forgotten from 88.

Taylor was NAILS....20 wins over the Bisons' first 2 years as Pittsburgh's top affiliate and kept his ERA in the 2's,which pitchers in the bigs today would kill for. Then he had 14 wins in 1990,just to top that.

[billsfan69]

I remember watching the Bisons when the Pirates were our parent team.

Orlando Merced, Orestes Destrade, and Kevin Young were just youngins trying to make it to the Bigs.

Personally, I'd like to see them with either the Mets or Jays.

Both of those organizations seem to do pretty well with their farm systems for the most part. Pittsburgh would be uneventful. The Nats would be a horrible fit for Buffalo.

The Jays farm system on the whole sucks.

[billsfan69]

I think it will be Pittsburgh. I would hate if the Jays moved in here because their farm teams never win. They have the occasional prospect like Alexis Rios make it, but more often than not, their prospects flame out. Pittsburgh has more talent in their farm system than they did when they were in Buffalo. The Mets would be good too because they would have the money to spend on minor league free agents. I will still be an Indians fan however. Always have been.

[Carl J. Ironsides]

Even though I'm a Yankee fan, give me the Mets. I'm always watching New York-based sports shows, so it would be cool to hear them actually talking about Mets prospects who are in Buffalo.

[McD]

Yanks fan here too. I'd be ok with the Mets, but would rather stick with the Tribe.

[M76]

mets farm system right now is awful,, but as a die hard mets fan i'd love the mets to come here.. my preference of course would be to keep the tribe but mets would be 1b.. change isn't always bad though either

[FamousAmos]

I'm a Yankees fan first, then A Tribes fan. This is shitty news!!

I guess I'd go for Pittsburgh

[Snarf]

The Jays farm system on the whole sucks.


Not true, the Jays usually have good teams in the lower levels. The Auburn Doubledays are usually a good team and won the New York Penn League last season. But I do agree as the players get older and move up the chain they fall off and the Triple A team (Syracuse) has sucked for a long time.

And as everyone says, I hope by some chance they stay with Cleveland, because it gets no better for a Triple A team. They have young players coming up and in the positions where they don't they go out and sign good Triple A vets or guys who have played in the majors but might not be able to make a roster at the start of the season. But everyone I have talked to who would be in the know says the Tribe is gone after 08.

[billsfan69]

Not true, the Jays usually have good teams in the lower levels. The Auburn Doubledays are usually a good team and won the New York Penn League last season. But I do agree as the players get older and move up the chain they fall off and the Triple A team (Syracuse) has sucked for a long time.

And as everyone says, I hope by some chance they stay with Cleveland, because it gets no better for a Triple A team. They have young players coming up and in the positions where they don't they go out and sign good Triple A vets or guys who have played in the majors but might not be able to make a roster at the start of the season. But everyone I have talked to who would be in the know says the Tribe is gone after 08.

The tribe is most definitely gone. So your sources are correct. You are not the first person who has told me this. Personally I am hearing Pittsburgh wants back into Buffalo. The fact the Auburn Doubledays won the title does nothing for me, because unlike the Indians who consistently win at every level, the Blue Jays farmhands do tend to fall off. I know the first priority of a minor league team is developing talent for the major league team, but what is better for development? Winning or losing? I kind of think things might be different if the Jays came to Buffalo though because Toronto could see putting a competitive team in Buffalo as a way to expand their fan base.

[Truther_Chuck]

I'd like to see the Blue Jays AAA team in Buffalo. I would hope some tv station would pick up more Blue Jays games. Here in WNY, your almost a yankee fan by default, because thats whats on tv. I am a Bisons fan first, then a yankee fan. It would be nice if someone would put some bisons games on tv.

[Manana]

I am an avid Mets fan, so I would LOVE to see the Mets put the farm here in Buffalo. I also have always rooted for the Indians & the Jays in the American league, so keeping Cleveland or getting Toronto would be great. I HATE THE YANKEES!!! My father hated the Yankees, my grandfather (a semi-pro baseball player) HATED the Yankees! No thanks to them!

[Snarf]

It looks like the Mets will going to Syracuse. The Toronto Blue Jays extended their PDC with three minor league teams in New Hempshire, Lansing and Auburn. They did not extend it in Syracuse which means they are probably out of there. I would bet on the Jays here in Buffalo.

[ckg68]

I'd like to see the Blue Jays AAA team in Buffalo. I would hope some tv station would pick up more Blue Jays games. Here in WNY, your almost a yankee fan by default, because thats whats on tv. I am a Bisons fan first, then a yankee fan. It would be nice if someone would put some bisons games on tv.

Yes,the Yanks are-by default-the #1 team here,though Mets and Tribe games do air on WNGS-TV(which is now on DirecTV and Dish Network's channel lineup)-and are likely to do so once again in the '08.(Usually,it's the games that don't land on YES,SNY or Sports Time Ohio.)

The Jays,if I remember right,do carry some games on CBC-Sportsnet is their primary rights holder.

And there's another post asking(nay,PLEADING)for Time Warner Cable to put some Bisons games on their lineup.

[JLB]

Well with everything were doing with Tonto it might as well be them. :dunno:

[Billsman]

I can live with the Jays.

[billsfan69]

I can live with the Jays.

Well don't ever expect to make the playoffs. Their triple-A team is a joke.

[mbarker]

As a Cleveland Indians fan living in Columbus, I can tell you that when the Player Development Agreement between the New York Yankees and the Columbus Clippers expired in 2006, the Clippers' management made sure to only sign a two-year agreement knowing full well that the Indians' contract with the Bisons also ended in 2008.

Even though Cincinnati is a few miles closer, the majority of Major League fans in central Ohio follow the Tribe. The Reds' agreement with the Louisville Bats also ends at the conclusion of this season, yet no one here in Columbus are talking about the Clippers becoming their Triple-A affiliate, though that could be Plan B.

With the Indians owning their own cable sports network which airs on every system in central Ohio, plus the fact that the Tribe already has three of their six minor league affiliates in the state of Ohio, I think it's a foregone conclusion that Indians and Clippers will sign a deal in September. I think this has been in the planning stages for some time now, only no one can really say anything publicly because of the agreements that are already in place.

In the 28 years that the Clippers were affiliated with the Yankees, no one here in Columbus was ever thrilled with the association. Most wondered why can't the Clippers align themselves with one of the Ohio teams.

The problem was George Steinbrenner, who once lived in Columbus, his wife was from Columbus, and he had several personal and professional ties to the city, one of which includes owning a hotel, restaurant, and a luxury suite at Ohio Stadium so he could watch Buckeye football games.

Personally, I thought anything would of been better than the Yankees. Finally, we are going to get our wish.

Another thing I would like to address is that fact that Toledo is much closer to Detroit, thus the majority in that city are fans of Detroit sports teams, so it's a perfect fit for the Mud Hens to be the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers. I am not sure why some people were worried about the Indians moving on to Toledo when Fifth Third Field opened in 2002.

Matt Barker
http://clippersbaseball.info

[polgard]

As a Cleveland Indians fan living in Columbus, I can tell you that when the Player Development Agreement between the New York Yankees and the Columbus Clippers expired in 2006, the Clippers' management made sure to only sign a two-year agreement knowing full well that the Indians' contract with the Bisons also ended in 2008.

Even though Cincinnati is a few miles closer, the majority of Major League fans in central Ohio follow the Tribe. The Reds' agreement with the Louisville Bats also ends at the conclusion of this season, yet no one here in Columbus are talking about the Clippers becoming their Triple-A affiliate, though that could be Plan B.

With the Indians owning their own cable sports network which airs on every system in central Ohio, plus the fact that the Tribe already has three of their six minor league affiliates in the state of Ohio, I think it's a foregone conclusion that Indians and Clippers will sign a deal in September. I think this has been in the planning stages for some time now, only no one can really say anything publicly because of the agreements that are already in place.

In the 28 years that the Clippers were affiliated with the Yankees, no one here in Columbus was ever thrilled with the association. Most wondered why can't the Clippers align themselves with one of the Ohio teams.

The problem was George Steinbrenner, who once lived in Columbus, his wife was from Columbus, and he had several personal and professional ties to the city, one of which includes owning a hotel, restaurant, and a luxury suite at Ohio Stadium so he could watch Buckeye football games.

Personally, I thought anything would of been better than the Yankees. Finally, we are going to get our wish.

Another thing I would like to address is that fact that Toledo is much closer to Detroit, thus the majority in that city are fans of Detroit sports teams, so it's a perfect fit for the Mud Hens to be the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers. I am not sure why some people were worried about the Indians moving on to Toledo when Fifth Third Field opened in 2002.

Matt Barker
http://clippersbaseball.info

Everything you say makes sense, and I hope it doesn't come true. Not only because I'm an Indians fan, but because Cleveland has consistently put a very good product out on the field here in Buffalo. If Cleveland were to move their AAA affiliation to Columbus, I don't know who I'd like to see in Buffalo in 2009. Toronto makes sense, but their farm system isn't very strong. They seem to trade prospects away to get the experienced veterans to compete with Boston and the Yankees.

[billsfan69]

Everything you say makes sense, and I hope it doesn't come true. Not only because I'm an Indians fan, but because Cleveland has consistently put a very good product out on the field here in Buffalo. If Cleveland were to move their AAA affiliation to Columbus, I don't know who I'd like to see in Buffalo in 2009. Toronto makes sense, but their farm system isn't very strong. They seem to trade prospects away to get the experienced veterans to compete with Boston and the Yankees.


I hope the Indians know what they are doing.Their Triple-A players were treated very well in Buffalo, which is why the development atmosphere was so good. Pittsburgh's team in Indianapolis has been pretty competitive the last few years, so that may be a possibility.

[bozman949]

I'd love it if the Nats and the Bisons got together!

[Chrispy56]

The Mets would be cool!

[billsfan69]

The Mets would be cool!

I think the Mets are headed to Syracuse. I don't see the Bisons hooking up with the Jays, so I think it is either between the Pirates or the Brewers.

[ckg68]

That's the first time I've heard Milwaukee mentioned...but it does make some sense,especially since the stadium situation in Nashville is an extreme mess. The lease that the Sounds have with Greer Stadium runs out after this season,and there's no plans to get a new stadium with the Sounds in place(they had plans to build First Tennessee Field along the banks of the Cumberland River,but they fell through).

[billsfan69]

That's the first time I've heard Milwaukee mentioned...but it does make some sense,especially since the stadium situation in Nashville is an extreme mess. The lease that the Sounds have with Greer Stadium runs out after this season,and there's no plans to get a new stadium with the Sounds in place(they had plans to build First Tennessee Field along the banks of the Cumberland River,but they fell through).

It's my surprise pick. The Brewers seem to have some nice young players coming up through their system. I just can't see the Jays as the Bisons know their history of losing in Syracuse and they may not want to go with the Pirates because of what happened the last time they were here.

[original6]

It is not much of a secret the Cleveland Indians will leave the Bisons at the end of the 2008 season and have hook up with the Columbus Clippers. Columbus has a new stadium opening in 2009 and their is pressure on the Tribe to have their top farm club in Ohio so they can put games on Sports Time Ohio. So the question is who would you like to see as the parent club of the Bisons. While I think most people around Buffalo are Yankees fans, the Yankees are locked into Scranton and will not be coming here. Rumors have had the Mets coming here because Buffalo is a hell of a lot closer then New Orleans, the Pirates coming here because of Neal Huntington as the new GM. Other rumors have the Jays coming to Buffalo if they get booted from Syracuse. There are positives and negatives to each team.

The Mets do have a following here, while not as big as the Yankees, Red Sox or Indians but they would get some intrest. But there is a reason their farm club is in New Orleans now. They put a bad team on the field most years, and nobody in the IL wanted them.

The Pirates put an average team on the field. They make the playoffs sometimes, and miss it sometimes. They are a close team and the guys running the team came from Cleveland so they know the Bisons. But the Bisons booted the Bucs in 1994 to hook up with Cleveland. Yeah things have changed a lot, but it's almost like been there done that.

The Blue Jays would make since seeing Toronto is about two hours away. Rumors have the Syracuse Chiefs making a big push for the Mets, which would leave the Jays seeking a new Triple A team. But the Jays put losing team after losing team on the field. The Chiefs have not made the playoffs since 1998 and they were swept by the Bisons in the first round.

The Washington Nationals may be the only other team looking for a farm club, but it seems they may be the one team in the east forced to have their Triple A club in the PCL.

I wish Cleveland would have a change of heart like they did when everyone thought they were gone when Toledo was opening up their new stadium.

Buffalo is about 70 to 90 minutes from Toronto.

[ckg68]

Problem with that take is that people in Buffalo don't really get their groove on for Toronto for a few reasons:

1. Leafs fans who flood the arena in droves every time Toronto plays Buffalo-mainly because they can't get tickets to a Leafs game.

2. The belief-whether it's true or not-that Toronto is going to poach the Bills from us. Playing a regular season game in the Rogers Centre helps(or hurts,depending on your point of view)this view.

[billsfan69]

Problem with that take is that people in Buffalo don't really get their groove on for Toronto for a few reasons:

1. Leafs fans who flood the arena in droves every time Toronto plays Buffalo-mainly because they can't get tickets to a Leafs game.

2. The belief-whether it's true or not-that Toronto is going to poach the Bills from us. Playing a regular season game in the Rogers Centre helps(or hurts,depending on your point of view)this view.

Great points, especially number 2. I think the Bisons know there is a bit of a backlash against Toronto and their teams in this city because of the Bills situation. I doubt Toronto ends up here for that reason. Personally I am hoping for either the Pirates or Mets, since we would be able to follow our players as they go to the majors on FSN Pittsburgh and SNY if you have Directv.

[ckg68]

Scratch one potential suitor for the Bisons: Pittsburgh is staying with Indianapolis.

The Pirates announced yesterday that they've extended their affiliation agreement with the I-Tribe for 4 more seasons,to run out after the 2012 season.

[Sabres Cutie]

Can't we just stay with the Indians? Excuse my ignorance on how things work.

[Snarf]

Can't we just stay with the Indians? Excuse my ignorance on how things work.

It's all about TV. To give you the quick answer. Columbus has a new stadium coming next year, and their agreement with Washington is up after this season. So is Buffalo's with Cleveland. The Indians want to move their Triple A club to Columbus which would leave Buffalo in search of a parent club (my guess Toronto). The reason the Tribe wants to leave is so they can put the Columbus games in Sports Time Ohio, which is the TV station the Indians games are on, and the Tribe owns. Sports Time Ohio is not carried in Buffalo (some tell that to MLB) so they would never put the Bisons games on.

It's not that the Bisons want to break up with Cleveland, but they might not have any choice.

[keyron79]

Even though I'm a Yankee fan, give me the Mets. I'm always watching New York-based sports shows, so it would be cool to hear them actually talking about Mets prospects who are in Buffalo.

well put. We will at least be able to watch the players after they leave on SNY. All Cleveland games are blackout in Buffalo. Which is B.S.

[ckg68]

well put. We will at least be able to watch the players after they leave on SNY. All Cleveland games are blackout in Buffalo. Which is B.S.

No,they're NOT.

Not if you have DirecTV,and have the Choice Xtra package;with any base package and the SportsPack;you can add the Pirates. SportsTime Ohio is now carried since it's in Buffalo's territory.

(The info's right up there at DirecTV.com ;click on the Sports Pack link-then put your zip code in there,it'll tell you what networks and teams are in your home territory.)

[ckg68]

By the way,I'd like to thank Tribe GM Mark Shapiro for making Bisons fans twist in the wind for at least five more months. They didn't announce an extension of the PDA deal,which means they can't restart it until September.

So,Mark....

Thank you very little. You're welcome even less.

[Manana]

Unless Direct TV has changed it's MLB rules recently, Indians games ARE blacked out in Buffalo. They were available during the recent preview, but I had the MLB package 2 years ago and would never get it again. The Indians, Pirates, Yankees & Mets were blocked out. Obviously, we NOW get the Mets & Yankees, but it's only because Time-Warner owns part of SNY... wasn't on Adelphia! But... no Indians or Pirates.

[ckg68]

Manana: The boundaries in terms of MLB were changed over the offseason.

And Cleveland was the beneficary of it,as we can now see the Tribe's games here.

Currently,we can see the Yankees(YES),Mets(SNY),Pirates(FSN Pittsburgh;if you have any package along with the Sports Pack),and Indians(STO;if you have the Choice Xtra)in western New York.

Not to mention that the Yanks,Mets and Tribe overflow games air on WNGS too.

[billsfan69]

It's all about TV. To give you the quick answer. Columbus has a new stadium coming next year, and their agreement with Washington is up after this season. So is Buffalo's with Cleveland. The Indians want to move their Triple A club to Columbus which would leave Buffalo in search of a parent club (my guess Toronto). The reason the Tribe wants to leave is so they can put the Columbus games in Sports Time Ohio, which is the TV station the Indians games are on, and the Tribe owns. Sports Time Ohio is not carried in Buffalo (some tell that to MLB) so they would never put the Bisons games on.

It's not that the Bisons want to break up with Cleveland, but they might not have any choice.

Sportstime Ohio is carried in Buffalo on Dish network and Directv.

[billsfan69]

Unless Direct TV has changed it's MLB rules recently, Indians games ARE blacked out in Buffalo. They were available during the recent preview, but I had the MLB package 2 years ago and would never get it again. The Indians, Pirates, Yankees & Mets were blocked out. Obviously, we NOW get the Mets & Yankees, but it's only because Time-Warner owns part of SNY... wasn't on Adelphia! But... no Indians or Pirates.


The Indians are blacked out in Buffalo on Extra Innings because we are in their broadcast area.

[billsfan69]

Manana: The boundaries in terms of MLB were changed over the offseason.

And Cleveland was the beneficary of it,as we can now see the Tribe's games here.

Currently,we can see the Yankees(YES),Mets(SNY),Pirates(FSN Pittsburgh;if you have any package along with the Sports Pack),and Indians(STO;if you have the Choice Xtra)in western New York.

Not to mention that the Yanks,Mets and Tribe overflow games air on WNGS too.

The boundaries were not changed. Buffalo was always supposed to get Indian games on Sportstime Ohio. Directv until this year didn't offer that channel in Buffalo and only made it available in Cleveland.

[billsfan69]

By the way,I'd like to thank Tribe GM Mark Shapiro for making Bisons fans twist in the wind for at least five more months. They didn't announce an extension of the PDA deal,which means they can't restart it until September.

So,Mark....

Thank you very little. You're welcome even less.

I wish the Indians would at least be honest with the Bisons and say they are leaving. That way we won't get stuck settling for whatever team is left, which could be the Nationals. Gee that would be great. Sure we wouldn't be able to talk to other teams until September, but at least other teams, including a team like the Brewers who is building a nice farm system would know that Buffalo would be available.

[Snarf]

I wish the Indians would at least be honest with the Bisons and say they are leaving. That way we won't get stuck settling for whatever team is left, which could be the Nationals. Gee that would be great. Sure we wouldn't be able to talk to other teams until September, but at least other teams, including a team like the Brewers who is building a nice farm system would know that Buffalo would be available.

The Brewers are locked in till 2010 with Nashville, so they will not be coming here. Cleveland is not saying they are leaving incase they do decided to come back. But other teams know, it is no secret the Tribe is playing on leaving. With Pittsburgh resigning with Indy I think that will leave the Jays coming here. And as Mike Harrington said in the newspaper the Jays might be able to sign minor league free agents with the team in Buffalo instead of Syracuse. The whole Chiefs orginaztion is a mess and the stadium sucks, even though it is newier then Dunn Tire Park. Please be the Jays. Yeah I am a Jays fan, but I don't want an NL team here, espacially the Mets who make the Jays look like they put a solid team on the field in Triple A.

[JWatts]

Here's a link to that article you was talking about Snarf. It's down to the Mets, Blue Jays, or Nationals.

The Mets are desperate to get out of New Orleans and have their eyes on Syracuse, which would be a short hop from Double-A Binghamton as well as New York.

The Bisons could have pondered the Pirates, especially now that former Cleveland farm director Neil Huntington is the Pirates’ GM, but they re-signed last week with Indianapolis through 2012. The Brewers would love to be looking because they can’t get a stadium deal in Nashville but they’re signed through 2010.

So if not the Mets, I say it’s going to come down to the Blue Jays and Nationals. Washington has a new big-league park, and will likely spend more on development than it has but would create no buzz here. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, have plenty of fans here and would probably give Buffalo a small attendance spike from folks crossing the border.

But the Bisons have to tread very carefully when it comes to Toronto, which has put a stream of lousy teams in Syracuse, failing to win a single game in the postseason since 1994. Maybe, however, it will be easier for them to sign free agents when the destination is Buffalo rather than Syracuse.

After 31 years in Syracuse, the Jays don’t want to end up in New Orleans and would love to get into Buffalo. But how will fans here react to an affiliation with Toronto?

People in Buffalo hate the beverage-fueled, loud-mouthed Toronto hockey fans that flock to HSBC Arena when the Leafs are here. And I would assume resentment toward Toronto is growing with the Bills’ agreement to play games in Rogers Centre. Now we’re going to align with them? Tough call for the Bisons.


http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/mlb/story/322373.html

[Bills-RHRN]

I voted for the Nationals!!

HAHA!!

Go REDWINGS!!!

[billsfan69]

The Brewers are locked in till 2010 with Nashville, so they will not be coming here. Cleveland is not saying they are leaving incase they do decided to come back. But other teams know, it is no secret the Tribe is playing on leaving. With Pittsburgh resigning with Indy I think that will leave the Jays coming here. And as Mike Harrington said in the newspaper the Jays might be able to sign minor league free agents with the team in Buffalo instead of Syracuse. The whole Chiefs orginaztion is a mess and the stadium sucks, even though it is newier then Dunn Tire Park. Please be the Jays. Yeah I am a Jays fan, but I don't want an NL team here, espacially the Mets who make the Jays look like they put a solid team on the field in Triple A.

I thought the Brewers were available. And if it is the Jays, they had better sign some legit Triple-A players, because the Bisons won't stand for a Syracuse situation and I guarantee they are only signing with a new team for two years. After that, the Brewers would become an option.

[Snarf]

I thought the Brewers were available. And if it is the Jays, they had better sign some legit Triple-A players, because the Bisons won't stand for a Syracuse situation and I guarantee they are only signing with a new team for two years. After that, the Brewers would become an option.

I could take the team that the Jays are putting on the field in Syracuse over this mess we got. I will give the Jays one thing, it is hard to sign a minor league vet to play in Syracuse. The stadium is pretty new, but nothing nice. Dunn Tire Park at 21years old is much nicer. The Chiefs are not know for being a top notch front office, and the fans do not show up. Buffalo is a much easier place to have guys sign who know they are gonna be in the minors. How many times have you heard guys say, "If I have to be in the minors I want to be in Buffalo".

[bozman949]

I think the logical choice is Toronto, maybe we can get the Jays to play 2 series a season in Buffalo in exchange for taking some Bills games.

I also think that the Nationals wouldn't be a bad choice. Either way it's a win win for me if we get Toronto or Washington as I'm a fan of both clubs.

[Snarf]

Checking out the standings.

The Bisons are 7-13 and fifth in the IL North.

Washington's farm club in Columbus 9-10 and last in the IL West

Toronto's farm club in Syracuse is 13-7 and tied for first in the IL North.

The Mets farm club in New Orleans is 11-9 and and third in the PCL American South.

[billsfan69]

I could take the team that the Jays are putting on the field in Syracuse over this mess we got. I will give the Jays one thing, it is hard to sign a minor league vet to play in Syracuse. The stadium is pretty new, but nothing nice. Dunn Tire Park at 21years old is much nicer. The Chiefs are not know for being a top notch front office, and the fans do not show up. Buffalo is a much easier place to have guys sign who know they are gonna be in the minors. How many times have you heard guys say, "If I have to be in the minors I want to be in Buffalo".

It probably is true that Toronto could sign better players for Buffalo than in Syracuse. The issue is would the Jays be willing to spend the money on their Triple-A team?I think that has been an issue in the past. Plus with the Bills-Toronto situation, the Bisons may want to steer clear of the Jays as a parent club, even though they may not have a choice. The only three that seem available are the Jays, Nationals, and Mets. The Mets seem to be eying Syracuse, which is closer to Binghamton than Buffalo is. The Nationals do seem to be a draw, so it probably will now end up being the Jays, but they definitely won't be signing a 4 year deal like the Indians did in the past.