The Professional Baseball Agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) officially expires on September 30, 2020, and if MLB and MiLB do not come to a new agreement ahead of then, major changes and shakeups could be coming to the way the minor league baseball system is structured, including the potential contraction and elimination of 40 teams across minor league baseball.
This is due to MLB making it clear that they want to take control of the minor leagues with hopes of running it in a more cost-effective way and produce more revenue for MiLB teams. MLB is expected to take over MiLB later this year, however, if no agreement is reached by September 30, then MLB could takeover the minor league system as soon as then.
Prior the coronavirus impacting the United States, MLB and MiLB were negotiating a new agreement, however, those negotiations were put on hold in March when MLB was forced to shut down Spring Training for three months, followed by then having to negotiate a return-to-play agreement with the players’ association.
With baseball back, MLB and MiLB have resumed negotiations and information has began to leak out regarding what the 2021 season could look like for Minor League Baseball and what teams could have seen their last game in 2019 when the season ended.
The following scenarios are five options that could occur, as first reported by J.J. Cooper and curated by Baseball America. In addition, we discuss how these scenarios could affect the New York Mets and their minor league affiliates.
Short-Season and Rookie-Advanced Classes may be Eliminated:
As part of MLB’s contraction process, the short-season New York-Penn League and Rookie-Advanced Appalachian and Pioneer Leagues would be eliminated and would no longer be affiliated with MLB/MiLB. Certain Florida State League teams, including the Daytona Tortugas and Florida Fire Frogs, are also at risk of being eliminated.
This would directly affect the Mets’ Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, as well as the rookie-level Kingsport Mets.
High-Class A and Low-Class A leagues could Flip Classifications
Another possibility of how MLB plans to restructure MiLB, Low-Class A and High-Class A leagues would flip and change leagues. This would allow players who spend Spring Training at complexes in Florida to remain there when they were promoted to the low-class A Florida State League.
The change would also help with climate acclimation. Players from Latin America and other warm-climate locations would be able to adjust to full-season play without having to also get acclimated to cold weather.
If this change were to happen, it would directly affect the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones, as well as the Class-A Advanced, Florida State League Affiliate, St. Lucie Mets.
Leagues could Split its Season between Southern and Northern Locations
Another potential scenario is leagues splitting their seasons. If this situation were to pass, teams Florida State League would play the first half of their season in Florida, and then head North to the cities of the New York-Penn League for the second half of the season.
This scenario, would once again affect the Mets’ Class-A Advanced affiliate, St. Lucie Mets who play at Clover Park in Port Saint Lucie. The first half of their season would be in Port Saint Lucie, with the second half of their season at MCU Park, where the Brooklyn Cyclones currently play.
A Third Triple-A League could be Formed
Another topic in discussion is to form a third Triple-A League. This league would be based in the Midwest and serve clubs from the Central divisions.
The South Atlantic League could Spin off a Mid-Atlantic League
A fifth shakeup that could occur is the South Atlantic League spinning off of the Mid-Atlantic League. This in an effort to tighten up geographic locations of teams in comparison to their Major League affiliates.
How The Changes Affect the New York Mets and Their Minor League Affiliates:
As Mets Minors reported in June and mentioned above, the initial announcement of contraction and elimination of teams would possibly affect the following Mets affiliates: Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Rookie-Level Kingsport Mets.
In November, Mets Minors discussed why certain teams were in jeopardy. For Kingsport, with needing upgrades to the stadium, as well as being independently owned and not owned by the Mets, that puts them in a spot to be eligible for elimination.
As for the Brooklyn Cyclones, they are wholly owned by the Mets, and play in an up-to-date ballpark that is in close proximity to the New York Mets. The plan would elevate the Cyclones from the New York-Penn League to the Double-A Eastern League, taking the place of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, who are at risk of elimination.
In the most recently reported negotiations, the St. Lucie Mets would also be affected. They would remain an affiliate, however, as reported in No. 3 above, the Florida State League is being tabbed as a potential league to split their season in Florida during the first half of the season, and in a northern location the second half of the season.
All of these plans above are just scenarios being discussed and speculated. Nothing has yet to be made completely official by MLB or MiLB as of now.
