Brewers High-A Affiliation -- Oh My, Hello Lancaster, and All That Means

[adambr2]

What is Gord Ash's net worth? He can go ahead and use it to buy us that High A team in Carolina.

[MrTPlush]

What is Gord Ash's net worth? He can go ahead and use it to buy us that High A team in Carolina.

 

His net worth is more like a negative worth.

[adambr2]

Maybe he can move the A ball team next year to Death Valley, California and get the AA team out of Biloxi and into Barrow, Alaska.

[And That]

Really hope he got called into Stearns' office, and was greeted with: "Gord, I must Ash you a question."

[MrTPlush]

Really hope he got called into Stearns' office, and was greeted with: "Gord, I must Ash you a question."

 

"Hey Gord, this is Mark. I just wanted to let you know you have just been given the general manager job. They are excited to have you in Colorado Springs."

[adambr2]

Why did the Rockies dump Colorado Springs in the first place? They're literally the only organization that would possibly benefit from that. It's close, convenient, and prepares them perfectly for Denver. Plus their locals obviously have more of a vested interest in the team, like us and the T-Rats. What did they possibly gain moving to Fresno that outweighs all that?

[davego]

Ive been wondering the same. If it is to crappy for the Rockies...

 

Can the 'Crew just have 2 AA teams?

[jerichoholicninja]

Why did the Rockies dump Colorado Springs in the first place? They're literally the only organization that would possibly benefit from that. It's close, convenient, and prepares them perfectly for Denver. Plus their locals obviously have more of a vested interest in the team, like us and the T-Rats. What did they possibly gain moving to Fresno that outweighs all that?

 

According to what was posted earlier in this thread by someone else, Colorado Springs dumped the Rockies. Probably because they were fielding crappy teams.

[adambr2]

Why did the Rockies dump Colorado Springs in the first place? They're literally the only organization that would possibly benefit from that. It's close, convenient, and prepares them perfectly for Denver. Plus their locals obviously have more of a vested interest in the team, like us and the T-Rats. What did they possibly gain moving to Fresno that outweighs all that?

 

According to what was posted earlier in this thread by someone else, Colorado Springs dumped the Rockies. Probably because they were fielding crappy teams.

 

This article indicates otherwise. Seems to answer my original question too.

 

http://www.hardballtimes.com/the-breakup/

[battlekow]

Well, at least I'll be able to go to the games once in a while. I live about 90 minutes from Lancaster now.

[brewmann04]

I still think we still thought we believed we were Staying in Nashville

[Polish Falcons]

I seem to be missing something. Why is everyone here assuming Lancaster when other outlets (including jsonline) are reporting Carolina is still in play? I am sure someone here probably has insider info, but I didn't see any post alluding to that.

 

I am still really hoping for Carolina because it's better for the team but also for me I would be in driving distance to some Carolina league teams.

[ZBTMP]

I seem to be missing something. Why is everyone here assuming Lancaster when other outlets (including jsonline) are reporting Carolina is still in play? I am sure someone here probably has insider info, but I didn't see any post alluding to that.

 

I am still really hoping for Carolina because it's better for the team but also for me I would be in driving distance to some Carolina league teams.

 

I can't speak for others, but I have no reason to doubt the Ballpark Digest report. Also the fact that the Brewers have shown no interest in investing any money to help solidify their development system makes me think this is a inevitability. Would love to be wrong, but I am not getting my hopes up that the Brewers will do what is necessary to get this right.

[balsamlaker]

I understand the concern for the hitter-friendly confines in Lancaster, but don't really see the comparison to the Colorado Springs situation. Lancaster actually has a very nice ballpark (maybe better than Carolina) and the affiliate plays a number of road games in pitcher-friendly parks, especially with Bakersfield and High Desert out of the league. There could actually be an advantage for the team being the main hitter-friendly park left in the league as the home team should be able to adjust more than the visiting team.

[Polish Falcons]

I never knew how this works. If Milwaukee and Colorado both want their affiliate to be Carolina, is it basically a bidding war? I am sure there are other factors involved besides money but that is the bottom line?

[patrickgpe]

I never knew how this works. If Milwaukee and Colorado both want their affiliate to be Carolina, is it basically a bidding war? I am sure there are other factors involved besides money but that is the bottom line?

It's not a bidding war, the Brewers cannot give any cash to Carolina. I can't speak to what factors besides ownership are involved

[MrTPlush]

I never knew how this works. If Milwaukee and Colorado both want their affiliate to be Carolina, is it basically a bidding war? I am sure there are other factors involved besides money but that is the bottom line?

 

There really isn't much of a bidding process at all. I am not 100% on the rules, but teams aren't really allowed to provide things outside of their players. You can't pay them, you can't promise players to rehab there, pretty sure you can't promise them exhibition games at their ballpark, you can't promise to place certain players there...etc etc etc. Either the affiliate wants you or doesn't. Their decision likely comes down to record, possibly how good of prospects you have coming up, and if they believe they can market off of the players coming through down the road. Sometimes minor league owners and an MLB owner know each other and that can give them an advantage.

 

In the grand scheme of things the affiliates could flip a coin and not be effected no matter who it is. Their money maker is fan experience not exactly how good the team is. People will say win-loss doesn't mean anything for the bottom line. That may be true, but if it doesn't matter either way do you want a 80-60 team or a 50-90 team?

[balsamlaker]

I agree...the only "bidding war" that I think could happen would be if Carolina is only willing to do a deal involving selling majority ownership like Modesto did.

[Eye Black]

If the Brewers do end up in Lancaster it appears they will be reunited with former Huntsville and Biloxi GM Buck Rogers. Rogers who resigned as the Biloxi GM following last season (LINK) is the Senior Director of Ticket Sales & Promotions for Lancaster.

[CheezWizHed]

Bidding war...sales pitch... Bidding doesn't always have to do with money. I bid for jobs at my customers and money is important, but not always the most important piece. You customer has to have confidence that you can do the job and are the best fit for them. Lots of Chinese companies can out-bid my company, but a can't deliver what the customer wants.

 

I certainly hope we are giving our best sales pitch to Carolina. But I assume that most people think we are locked into Lancaster because of a lack of confidence in being able to success in that sales pitch.

[patrickgpe]

sales pitch should be easy

 

the brewers have a top 2 farm system and had a low A ball make the playoffs last season

 

low A Asheville did make it to the league finals though, so maybe a wash to slightly advantage rockies.

[CheezWizHed]

Should be easy, but we continue to be the last one at the dance...

[Greenleaf1]

Wouldn't this, in fact, be a bidding war?

 

Carolina is looking to sell controlling interest in the team, so the Brewers and Rockies have to buy the team if they want to go to Carolina right? So money is on the table?

[CheezWizHed]

I couldn't find that factoid anywhere. Do you have a link?

[Greenleaf1]

Ballpark Digest reports (via this tweet), and this post enhances with more detail, that Steve Bryant, who has owned the Carolina Mudcats for 27 years, since 1989, wants to sell his team, or at least the majority ownership, to an MLB franchise. It is the Colorado Rockies, who had a Carolina League affiliate in Salem from 1995-2002, and not the Brewers, who are apparently in the lead to do so.

 

From the very first post in this thread.