One of the big issues the Mets had this season – and the last few for that matter – was shuttling players three time zones to their Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.
Not anymore.
The Mets are expected to announce the purchase of the Syracuse Chiefs and will make them their Triple-A club after their affiliation agreement with the 51s ends after the 2018 season. A press conference is scheduled at NBT Bank Stadium with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.
“This is a home run that ensures the Chiefs stay right where they belong while the next generation of ‘amazin’ greats is fostered right here in Central New York,” Cuomo said in a statement to Syracuse.com.
General manager Sandy Alderson hinted at a reorganization of the minor leagues and this is part of it. Even this past season the Mets were caught with calling up players who were not ready for games dye to jetlag.
So, this will even things out for the Mets, who will have all their affiliates on the east coast and three of them in New York State. In addition to Syracuse, the Double-A team is still in Binghamton, while the Short-Season-A plays in Coney Island.
This will also help in rehab assignments, since the Mets can gage players better in the higher levels of the minors coming back from injury.
In addition to the Mets coming east, the Washington Nationals, who currently affiliate with Syracuse will be displaces and may be forced to take the Vegas affiliation.
Already the Mets announced the hiring of Tony DeFrancesco to manage their Triple-A club, replacing Pedro Lopez.
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