Should we explore adding a Rookie-Level affiliate, like we used to have in Bluefield?

[Greg Pappas]

With our expansion into the International market, it seems that having another Rookie-Level affiliate, between GCL and Aberdeen, could be useful. We used to have a Rookie level team in Bluefield, WV, but left there about a decade ago. 

[MurphDogg]

The bigger issue currently is that we drafted way too many college players that are too old for the GCL and not experienced enough for Delmarva and there just aren't enough roster spots at Aberdeen, so they are crushing the GCL.

Here is an existing thread on the topic.

My feeling is that if they aren't going to spend on the big league team, it would be nice to have another team to get everyone at-bats and innings.

[Greg Pappas]

Sweet... I missed the thread. Mods, please move or delete this thread. Thanks @MurphDogg.

[ScGO's]

A team can't simply be created right? We would have to pick up a team that another MLB team has dropped affiliation with.  Or can we affiliate with an Indy league team?  How does it work?  We can't just "get back" Bluefield; can we make an offer to the team that does own them? Bluefield would be the closest affiliate to me as I live in western NC (about a 3 hour drive). 

[UpstateNYfan]

It is more likely that "farms" will diminish over time (I don't like it). Back in the day, scouting, video, travel, tv, college ball is not what it is now. They needed teams to more teams to find and develop prospects. With all the tools they have today, teams recognize true prospects before they are even drafted. 90%+ will not see an inning in the majors. Most minor league teams hold fillers to help develop the few prospects. Once in a while there will be surprises, prospects that don't work out and non prospects that become good prospects. There is not much bang for the bucks spent in minors. 

[Teddy OBP]

2 hours ago, ScGO's said:

A team can't simply be created right? We would have to pick up a team that another MLB team has dropped affiliation with.  Or can we affiliate with an Indy league team?  How does it work?  We can't just "get back" Bluefield; can we make an offer to the team that does own them? Bluefield would be the closest affiliate to me as I live in western NC (about a 3 hour drive). 

Good question.  I dug around a bit online but I don't see anything.  Seems like there wouldn't be a finite number of minor league affiliates permitted but who knows.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are independent and close but I don't know if their facilities would be up to snuff.

[Frobby]

3 hours ago, ScGO's said:

A team can't simply be created right? We would have to pick up a team that another MLB team has dropped affiliation with.  Or can we affiliate with an Indy league team?  How does it work?  We can't just "get back" Bluefield; can we make an offer to the team that does own them? Bluefield would be the closest affiliate to me as I live in western NC (about a 3 hour drive). 

I think teams probably can be created from scratch in some cases.    I know the Carolina League had only 8 teams until a few years ago, when suddenly the Buies Creek Astros and Down East Wood Ducks showed up in 2017.

[Legend_Of_Joey]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

I think teams probably can be created from scratch in some cases.    I know the Carolina League had only 8 teams until a few years ago, when suddenly the Buies Creek Astros and Down East Wood Ducks showed up in 2017.

Those two teams came around by removing 2 from the California League: High Desert and Bakersfield.

[orioles22]

4 hours ago, ScGO's said:

A team can't simply be created right? We would have to pick up a team that another MLB team has dropped affiliation with.  Or can we affiliate with an Indy league team?  How does it work?  We can't just "get back" Bluefield; can we make an offer to the team that does own them? Bluefield would be the closest affiliate to me as I live in western NC (about a 3 hour drive). 

Everyone has one AAA, AA and A (I think only one there for High A and one for Low A) team. I think you can have more at the lower levels.

[Greg Pappas]

7 hours ago, ScGO's said:

A team can't simply be created right? We would have to pick up a team that another MLB team has dropped affiliation with.  Or can we affiliate with an Indy league team?  How does it work?  We can't just "get back" Bluefield; can we make an offer to the team that does own them? Bluefield would be the closest affiliate to me as I live in western NC (about a 3 hour drive). 

Regarding Bluefield in particular: 

Quote

The Bluefield Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team of the Rookie Appalachian League representing the twin cities of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Bluefield, Virginia, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

[OFFNY]

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I used to love seeing the Bluefield Orioles play when I went to visit my girlfriend, who lives on the border of North Carolina and Virginia.

 

It really sucked when we gave up the Bluefield team, because that was the longest Minor League affiliation that a MLB team had in the history of baseball (53 seasons, from 1958 through 2010.)

 

 

Orioles End Affiliation with Bluefield after 53 Seasons

(Baltimore Orioles News)

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/orioles-end-affiliation-with-bluefield/c-14240322

 

 

 

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