The New York Mets and Columbia Fireflies have announced the Player Development Contract (PDC) has been extended through the 2020 season.  As a result, the Fireflies will remain the Mets Low-A full season affiliate in the South Atlantic League for the next three seasons.

So far, this has proved to be a beneficially mutual relationship.  The Fireflies play in recently built Spirit Communications Park, and they hosted the 2017 Sally League All Star Game.  In 2016, the Fireflies were named as Ballpark Digest’s Best New Branding and Logo Award.  The team also saw record attendance and revenue with Tim Tebow starting his minor league career in Columbia.

This is a large reason why the Fireflies were excited to extend the PDC with President John Katz saying, “We’ve had a terrific working relationship with the Mets for over a decade, and we look forward to watching their future stars play here at Spirit Communications Park.”  (MiLB.com).

The agreement has also worked well for the Mets with many of their prospects thriving in Columbia.  Pitchers like P.J. Conlon, Tyler Bashlor, and Adonis Uceta had breakout type seasons in Columbia, which helped propel both to being contributors for a Binghamton Rumble Ponies playoff team last year.  Michael Paez, the Mets 2016 fourth round draft pick, led the Sally League in doubles last year earning himself a promotion to St. Lucie.

With prospects developing well in Columbia, Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson said, “We are extremely happy that we will be in Columbia for at least the next three years.  Jason Freier, John Katz and all their staff do a terrific job for our players and for Fireflies fans.”

With this agreement in place, the Fireflies will continue to do a terrific job for the Mets prospects and the fans for the next three seasons.