The Cincinnati Reds will be leaving the Cal League and headed to the Daytona Cubs (High Class A; Florida State League) under a new four-year player development contract (PDC).
We listed this as a done deal yesterday and noted the Friday announcement. Owner Andy Rayburn broke the news today in anticipation of tomorrow’s announcement:
“It’s done,” said Rayburn, who needed just two days to finalize a deal with the Reds after the Chicago Cubs officially departed to team up with the Carolina League’s Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Tuesday.
“From my standpoint, I was looking at the quality of organization, and I think the Reds are top quality,” Rayburn said in a phone interview from Ohio.
Actually, Rayburn only needed a day: the agreement was reached on Wednesday. Look for lots of change with the D-Cubs: an affiliation change is can be used as a reason by an MiLB to embark on a branding/logo change after the official deadlines. UPDATE: The press release from the team doesn’t even say Daytona Cubs: it refers to Daytona Baseball and Big Game Florida.
The Chicago Cubs had been parent to the D-Cubs for the past 22 seasons before breaking off the relationship and signing a new contract with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League). The Reds, meanwhile, had been parent to the Bakersfield Blaze (Class A; California League). It’s a move up for the Reds: Jackie Robinson Ballpark is considered to be a nicer facility than Sam Lynn Ballpark, and with the Reds’ Double-A team in Pensacola, it will make travel between the two farm teams easier.
Here’s a look at the current affiliate status in Minor League Baseball.
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!