The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) are shopping their affiliation options, including a potential renewal with the Cincinnati Reds or an agreement with a new parent club.
The Blue Wahoos are currently exploring their options. As of now, neither the Blue Wahoos nor the Reds have announced an affiliation change, so a renewal of a player development contract (PDC) between the two clubs is not out of the question. However, the Blue Wahoos have confirmed that they have engaged in discussions with the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres about an potential PDC.
As they explore their options, Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer and team president Jonathan Griffith are emphasizing the business aspect of their relationship with a potential MLB parent club. More from the Pensacola News Journal:
Rather, what Studer is seeking is a year-round relationship with cross promotion opportunities, consistent communication with the MLB team front office, an off-season visit by team members and other marketing benefits.
Studer and Griffith have outlined their top 10 priorities in a business proposal to teams.
“When I met with the Twins, they said we were a breath of fresh air,” Studer said. “They said they never had a minor league team owner say he doesn’t care about wins or losses … that he wants the other stuff.
“I’m more worried about, ‘Will you help my brand? And, can I help your brand?.’ You go to Yankee Stadium, for example, and on their video board every game they say what’s happening on the farm (minor league affiliates).
Any affiliation change will have a ripple effect that involves multiple clubs. In other words, should the Blue Wahoos choose the Twins or Padres over the Reds, at least one other Class AA club will enter into an agreement with a new MLB parent. The Twins have been affiliated with the Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League) since 2015, while the Padres have been in a relationship with the former Texas League San Antonio Missions franchise that is moving to a new ballpark in Amarillo next season. You can read more about the current state of affiliations on our Affiliate Dance page.