The Florida Marlins locked up the two top teams in their farm system for the next two seasons by signing new PDCs with the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League).
“We are pleased to continue our relationship with the Florida Marlins,” said Mike Schline, Zephyrs General Manager. “We are proud of the role we play in the Marlins’ commitment to developing their young players while striving for excellence on the field and in the community, and could not be happier to partner with a wonderful organization for another two years.”
The Marlins will continue to provide the players and coaching personnel for the Zephyrs. The clubs signed the original two-year agreement in September 2008, after the Marlins had spent six years with their Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, while the Zephyrs had been affiliated with the Washington Nationals and New York Mets in the previous two-year cycles.
“Well, let’s see, they said they’d try to give us a good club and year one we get Logan Morrison, Mike Stanton, Sean West and a bunch more, and win the league championship.” Suns President and General Manager Peter Bragan, Jr. said. “Year two the Big League club comes in and plays us here in Jacksonville, plus we get another great team that wins the first-half with Stanton bombing ‘em out of here. The way the Marlins have been for us, we couldn’t possibly be happier.”
“The Florida Marlins are excited to continue our affiliation with the New Orleans Zephyrs through the 2012 season,” said Brian Chattin, Marlins Director of Player Development. “We have enjoyed our partnership with the Zephyrs’ front office as well as the community of New Orleans during the past two years and greatly appreciate the support we have received from Zephyrs fans throughout the area. We are happy to have New Orleans as the home for our Triple-A club and look forward to growing this partnership in the years ahead.”
In the two years of the affiliation, 10 Zephyrs have gone on to make their Major League debuts with the Marlins, including last season’s National League Rookie of the Year, Chris Coghlan, and a leading candidate for this season’s Rookie of the Year, Gaby Sanchez.
Here’s a look at the current affiliate status.
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