Report: Mets Will Lose Double-A Binghamton Club (UPDATE)
by Rob Castellano on Feb 10, 2012 2:02 PM EST
in Mets Minor League
Email
Print
According to a report from the Ottawa Citizen, the Double-A Binghamton Mets' next season as an affiliate of the New York Mets will also be their last.
That is because Beacon Sports Capital Partners will be buying the club and moving them to Ottawa following the 2012 season. Since the club's partnership with the Mets conveniently ends after 2012, the Mets will almost definitely be looking for an alternative for 2013 (and beyond) that isn't quite so far from the New York market. Early rumors tab New Britain -- currently a Twins affiliate -- as the current favorite.
Also, as the new Ottawa franchise is expected to partner with Toronto, some expect a larger shake-up in the Double-A Eastern League. With the current Blue Jays affiliate in New Hampshire theoretically vacated, the Twins could move right in, leaving New Britain open for the Mets.
In terms of the city of Binghamton and NYSEG Stadium, the rumor mill continues to churn that affiliated baseball will indeed continue in the Parlor City. However, not on the Double-A level. The prevailing thought is that the Cardinals will move their short season-A NYPL affiliate -- currently in distant Batavia, NY -- down to Binghamton.
Selfishly, I must admit that I'm a little bit pleased about this news. As a self-serving resident of Danbury, New Britain would be under an hour whereas we've never made it to Bingo in under three. Still, it's sort of a sad development as the B-Mets have been a Mets affiliate since way back in 1992, meaning they've been one of the few constants for me as I learned to embrace the minor leagues. But I guess it's the natural cleansing that pretty much every club -- and their numerous affiliates -- must go through from time to time.
So on that note, go buy the tie-dyed hoodie; it will soon be a collectible!
______________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE (2:55PM)
Hold on. Maybe not. From the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin website:
"Binghamton Mets president Michael Urda angrily shot down reports that the B-Mets are being sold and relocated to Ottawa, saying "Enough's enough."
"There's 12 teams in the Eastern League and we have to address it every single week," said Urda of relocation rumors. "It's just conjecture."
Apparently it seems that 'sources close to the situation' have screwed us again.
Obviously either side could be bald-faced lying right now but someone is moving to Ottawa; and honestly the Ottawa Citizen story really makes it sound like it's the B-Mets. However, I guess there is now the possibility that maybe it's a different Eastern League club on their way north, and the B-Mets stay put...? Stay tuned.
48 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'm bummed
I’m a long time reader, first commentor and this bums me out. I live 45 minutes from Binghamton and enjoy going to the games and watching the young guys play.
by sxelonghorn10 on Feb 10, 2012 2:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I wish they would put one in the Hudson Valley NY area but thats the Ray's turf
ESPN, Mike Francesa, NY Post, NY Daily News, Fox Sports = Propaganda
Blue and Orange, Green and White, Red and Black
Twitter: @BlueChill1123
The Ray's turf is a radius from their stadium
And it doesn’t extend to New York.
__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden
Technically it's the Renegades' turf
I don’t know how the rules work for minor league affiliates blocking other teams, but I’m not sure the area could sustain two minor league clubs. The Renegades were a huge draw from the start, but the independent league teams on the other side of the river had trouble drawing a crowd even when they made every night a fireworks night (the lack of beer probably played a part in that, even though you would think that would be a good family-friendly selling point). I’ve been out of the loop for a while, and the area’s demographics have been changing (goodbye farmland, hello housing developments!), but that market has already been claimed.
To the best of my knowledge, minor league teams have no rights to block others
unless a league creates such a rule within that league.
Also, if any of these locations in the Hudson Valley are within 75 miles of Yankee Stadium, the Yankees could block such a move of a team, but not an affiliation transfer to an existing MILB team.
__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden
That would put the line just south of Kingston
So the only road to putting a team in the area without risking a Yankees block goes straight through the Rays.
The Rays can't block any move there
They have no such territorial rights.
__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden
They do have a team there though
I’d imagine they might have a problem if someone else’s team just showed up one day and took over Dutchess Stadium. Yes, there’s the whole business of affiliation vs. ownership, but the bottom line is that the Rays would need to be booted in order for the Mets to have a team there.
The Rays have absolutely no ability to block such a move because it outside their 75 mile radius territory
Now if the Eastern League gives it’s teams territorial rights, and I really don’t know one way or the other, than that team would be able to block such a move by another Eastern League team.
__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden
You lost me
You said that the Yankees can block anything within 75 miles of Yankee Stadium except affiliation transfers. That 75 miles covers everything in the Hudson Valley region south of Kingston (which is of course the good part of the region). The only MILB team that I know of in this region is the NYPL affiliate of the Rays. If my math is right, this adds up to a situation where getting a team into this region would require either confronting the Yankees or negotiating for the Rays’ affiliate in Fishkill. Am I missing something?
The Rays can only block something 75 miles from The Trop
Or, Tampa Bay in general.
The Rays’ MiLB team might be where ever, but they don’t factor in, because it’s an MiLB team. In theory, you could have two MiLB teams affiliated with two different teams across the street from one another in a “neutral” area that isn’t within the claiming rights of an MLB team.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 11, 2012 2:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
And that has nothing to do with anything
I haven’t said anything about a Rays territorial block and we’re not talking about neutral territory. Let’s break things down into simple logic:
Assumptions:
A. Yankees can block anything in the area except affiliation transfers.
B. Rays have the only affiliate in the area.
C. A Mets affiliate in the area would be nice (for the people who still live there, I lobby for New Hampshire).
If Not A, then C implies Not B. What am I missing?
A territorial radius starts emanates from a major league team's stadium only
Minor league teams do not have such territories. Unless the Eastern League has provisions about the movement of other Eastern League teams, the Ray’s affiliate has no territorial rights at all.
__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden
Yes, and there's one of those in New York, what's your point?
You keep saying the same thing and ignoring everything I have written. I’m trying to be civil here, but you are seriously trying my patience. Please go back and read the previous posts in this thread and point out exactly what is wrong with my reasoning. I gave you three assumptions and a logic statement to work with, please start with that. I don’t know how I can make things any clearer. If your next post says anything about a Rays territorial block or minor league territories (neither of which I have made any claims about), then I am clearly not getting through to you.
At this point I don't think we can follow your logic statement, so try this:
http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/about-those-b-mets-to-ottowa-rumors/
Toby Hyde does an excellent job of explaining the entire situation. If after reading that you still haven’t had your issue addressed, then I don’t think it’s likely we will ever get through to you.
I think we can safely assume that logic is not this site's strong suit
The Toby Hyde piece is good for background on the Mets AA situation. I don’t have any issues with that though, I was just providing some clarification of the situation in the Hudson Valley and making sure I understood what was being said in response. Others have taken issue with my reasoning for reasons that, while factually correct, do not conflict with anything I have said. And now we’re stuck in a loop. I apologize for trying to contribute to the discussion.
Okay. My last try at clarification:
Toby Hyde took another stab at explaining why he was wrong, and the Mets can’t put an affiliate in New Hampshire, due to the Red Sox territorial rights.
This is the Hudson Valley thread...
But the same logic applies. Putting a Mets franchise in southern NH without risking a Red Sox block could only happen if the Mets displace the existing franchise, which in this case can’t happen due to the peculiarities of the agreement with the Red Sox. But I’m sure I’m wrong about this too, because this is exactly what I said above (minus the peculiarities). I’m starting to think that I could quote people word-for-word here and still be called wrong.
Ok then us Met fans can invade the stadium in our Cyclones stuff?
ESPN, Mike Francesa, NY Post, NY Daily News, Fox Sports = Propaganda
Blue and Orange, Green and White, Red and Black
Twitter: @BlueChill1123
Who is this Ray character and why are we so concerned with his turf?
PS – I apologize for being a loser who finds grammar “humor” like this funny
by Bieser's Balk on Feb 10, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Is there a link to those New Britain rumors?
Living in Southington, that would be amazing
yep
it came from Rubin here but it does come off mostly as speculation, either on his part or someone else’s
by Rob Castellano on Feb 10, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
So, Adam Rubin lobby for position in player development?
We should investigate the investigation of the investigation.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 11, 2012 2:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Living in Meriden, I concur.
I hope these rumors become reality.
The 2011 New York Mets: Well, I been down so goddamned long, that it looks like up to me.
Having Beehive Field as your home park would also allow them to keep their "Bees" nickname, as well.
The 2011 New York Mets: Well, I been down so goddamned long, that it looks like up to me.
...their* home park...
agreement fail
The 2011 New York Mets: Well, I been down so goddamned long, that it looks like up to me.
Except, they don't play AA games at Beehive, anymore
nevermind.
The 2011 New York Mets: Well, I been down so goddamned long, that it looks like up to me.
We could change the team name to the New B-Mets
or mash it together and you get Newbie Mets… get it!?!
by crazycarLUXC on Feb 10, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
New Hampshire works for me
But it’s sounding like the Twins are more likely. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by AL minor league teams. Come on guys, just give me something. What’s a little AA team in the grand scheme of things? Don’t they realize how many people from New York have moved out here? With a bit of effort, they might even be able to move the Mets past the Yankees for the coveted title of second most popular baseball team in the Boston area (and, unlike Yankees fans, Mets fans can walk the streets openly around here without fearing for their lives!). You tri-state area people want to keep everything to yourselves, that’s so very Beltran of you.
Mets fans can walk the streets openly around here without fearing for their lives
Seriously? I would think Boston fans would be just as hostile to Mets fans
ESPN, Mike Francesa, NY Post, NY Daily News, Fox Sports = Propaganda
Blue and Orange, Green and White, Red and Black
Twitter: @BlueChill1123
I live in RI, but it's all Sawx fans up here
They have forgiven the Mets for ‘86 since they now have two rings, and I can easily bond with them over hating the Yanks, so it’s pretty easy to coexist. Except recently they think they’re hot shit with two rings, and have begun to remind me more and more of Yankee fans who expect to win every game every year.
That has not been my experience with Red Sox fans in northern New York.
They seem to think of us as comrades in arms against the Yankees. Until the 2004 World Series they looked on the Mets as the more successful, older brother, of whom they were slightly envious. Since 2004 they look on us as the irresponsible kid brother who isn’t living up to the family name. It’s really all very collegial. Or fraternal. Or something. Anyway, up here it’s friendly.
A common misconception around here
In fact, I opened this account to correct someone who mistakenly believed that (but I was having connectivity issues at the time and I didn’t confirm the account until the following morning, so I didn’t bother). In short, they never hated the Mets, they just hated Buckner (and they still do). Their attitude toward the Mets is no different from that toward any other team that is not (or is not playing) the Yankees. And yet, the Yankees remain the second most popular team in the area.
And the Sox are the second most popular team around here (Mets fifth).
I think this whole ‘hating teams that beat you’ thing must be peculiar to Mets fans. I’ve never seen that anywhere else. Not in college or high school sports, for example, nor in other pro sports.
I lived in Boston for a few years and
they seemed to be more indifferent to the Mets. Definitely not hostile, in my experience.
Chamption of the R.A. Dickey Face contest and "Cromulent Photoshopper Extraordinaire" of Amazin' Avenue!
You might know me as mistermet.
by Steve Schreiber on Feb 10, 2012 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
That's alright
They can hate us Giants fans. :)
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 11, 2012 2:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Looks like New Hampshire is out
The Red Sox banned New York teams for all eternity when they let the Manchester, NH franchise in. I’m sure this is all the Wilpons’ fault. Stupid Wilpons, letting other teams discriminate against the Mets.
Much as I hate to say it, I could see Vermont being the team that ends up in Bingo
The stadium is awful, UVM just cut their baseball program (the Monsters play at the college), and they’re by far the most out of the way location in the NYPL. They’ve been rumored to be done for years, this would really make sense.
by Stephen Schmidt on Feb 10, 2012 3:33 PM EST reply actions
They should move the AA team to Queens
Major league team can play in New Britain.
"RBI’s does measure something – Wins."
-Bayonne Mets Fan on MMO
by Dandy Salderson on Feb 10, 2012 3:47 PM EST reply actions
I hope the AA team stays in Binghamton
I have a soft spot for that gritty town from my college days up the road at Cornell. Plus, it keeps a Mets connection in central New York (the AAA team in Buffalo takes care of western NY). Never want to concede any upstate fans to another team (particularly the Yankees).
Mark Cuban for owner! Save us from the Wilpons!
by Greenpoint Ian on Feb 11, 2012 12:05 PM EST reply actions
I grew up in the area (now living elsewhere) so this would make me super-sad
I’ve been to 5 times more B-Mets games than actual Mets games.
by CJ_Scudworth on Feb 11, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
Visiting Syracuse and attending college there...
I can say we barely have a hold there as it is, majority of it’s divided between Yankees and Red Sox. Hell the radio station that broadcasted Mets games out of Albany has dropped them for the Red Sox.
ESPN, Mike Francesa, NY Post, NY Daily News, Fox Sports = Propaganda
Blue and Orange, Green and White, Red and Black
Twitter: @BlueChill1123
Sadness.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf. "
– Tug McGraw when asked about his preference for grass or astroturf
by Terry_is_God on Feb 12, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Territorial rights and denying reports
I think minor league teams have some territorial rights (therefore, the Renegades could block a team from moving to a new park nearby), but I’m not certain about that. I’d have to double-check. I just seem to remember it from when Lakewood debuted in NJ. It wasn’t a problem because it was a Phillies affiliate (within the Phillies’ region) and owned by the same owners as the Trenton Thunder (so that franchise had no problem with it).
As for Urda’s denials (and Anthropolous’ about the Jays’ affiliate moving to the new Ottawa franchise), that’s expected at this point. For one thing, technically, there is no franchise in Ottawa to talk about. And discussing a new affiliation while under a current PDC (player development contract) can be tampering. Plus, with this time a prime time for minor league teams to sell sponsorships and the like, it’d be bad business to admit (if you’re the B-Mets) that the franchise is leaving after the season, even if you have in fact had those discussions. So yeah, someone’s denying something that’s going to be true; it’s just not at the moment. And these B-Mets rumors have been swirling around for so long, I imagine they’ll be proven true sometime before September.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Get a grip: Reds’ Todd Frazier loses bat, still connects for home run (Video)
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
