More PDC news: the Vermont Lake Monsters (short season A; NY-Penn League) and the Oakland A’s extended their player development contract through the 2016 season.
The Vermont Lake Monsters have had a minor league affiliation with the A’s since 2011.
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with the Lake Monsters,” said A’s Vice President and General Manager Billy Beane. “The support by the Vermont ownership group and the Burlington community has been outstanding. We look forward to continuing our relationship.”
The Lake Monsters play their home games at venerable 4,000-seat Centennial Field, located on the University of Vermont campus. Centennial Field is one of the oldest ballparks still in use in professional baseball, dating back to 1906. Such future major league standouts as Ken Griffey, Jr., Barry Larkin, Omar Vizquel, Orlando Cabrera, Milton Bradley and Jason Bay have played for Vermont over the years.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with the Oakland Athletics,” said Vermont Lake Monsters Vice President Kyle Bostwick. “Our working partnership has been incredible since day one and we are excited to be able to continue to see our guys develop and contribute at the Major League level with Oakland.”
We are still in the period where teams can negotiate only with existing affiliates. Come Thursday, MLB and MiLB teams will be free to inform their current affiliates they do not seek to extend the affiliation. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean the two sides will divorce — many teams play the market and then rush back into the arms of their current partner.
Here’s a look at the current affiliate status in Minor League Baseball.
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