Affiliation shuffle?

FAIL by affiliation

by Rusty the Robot on Aug 13, 2008 7:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the only sure thing

is that San Jose keeps it’s team. Cal League teams are historically good draws, and the SJ Giants proximity to the main club is convienient for both the fans and the organization. If they move that team before Angel gets here, I’m gonna go apeshit.

By the way, where is everyone sitting for prospect night? I’m yet to buy the tix.

Angel Villalona: Rush Fan? Probably.

by AngelintheInfield on Aug 13, 2008 7:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey just tell me where the gaggle of McCoven will be located and I’ll sneak in with you guys.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

was just gonna go GA

unless someone had a plan

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 13, 2008 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that’s the best idea because you can basically sit wherever, which is good for our group.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Relocation

I have no inside information, but I find this a very interesting subject. We’ve all discussed at length the pros and cons of staying in Norwich, and I gather that the majority agree with me that a more centrally-located affiliation might be best for both parties, assuming the Defenders can hook up with an East coast team when we leave. None of the other 2 available EL locations look like good fits for the Giants. As for the Texas League, we used to have to discount the stats coming from that hitter-friendly league when our affiliate was in Shreveport in that league. I haven’t kept up with the TL since, but I presume it’s still not a place pitchers want to be. I do know that North Little Rock built a terrific new stadium (last year?), so after years of playing in terribly antiquated Ray Winder Field, I don’t imagine the Angels are in any hurry to leave their association with the Arkansas Travelers. But we could do well there. I remember San Antonio being the Dodgers’ affiliate years ago, and iirc their hitting stats were perhaps the most inflated of the entire league. Of course, if a new park has been built since then, that could modify somewhat the results. I would be disinclined to want to relocate there, though.

The Southern League looks the most promising to me. The West Tenn team has a nice, relatively new stadium (Pringles Park!) but suffers from fan neglect, and I wouldn’t be too surprised to see the franchise move in the next couple of years. It’s just not a baseball region, and since they aren’t wrestling the Cubs’ or Cards’ AA teams away from their current homes, I don’t see much future there, fan-wise or business-wise. We would, I presume, not do well there; but wherever they move might be a good opportunity, depending on just where that is. At least the initial excitement of a new team coming to town would be beneficial in the short run. I don’t know anything specific about Carolina, Jacksonville, Chattanooga, or Huntsville, but surely at least one of these would make a good home for our AA prospects. If we do end up one of those places, I promise to make at least 2 pilgrimmages there a summer, and provide copious first-hand reports.

I just don’t see the San Jose affiliation going anywhere. And I really hope Salem-Keizer stays in the fold. They’ve given us good support, and we’ve provided some excellent teams for them recently.

Thanks for bringing up one of my favorite topics, Chris!

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 8:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

errata

that should read ”...wrestling the Braves’ or Cards’ AA teams away…” Duh. The Cubs were the affiliates before the Mariners were.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jacksonville is the Dodgers’ affiliate. Eeeeeeew.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn’t Shreveport a fairly pitcher-friendly park in that league? My only recollection is Ainsworth talking about the adjustment he went through after being promoted from Shreveport to the PCL.

by steve S on Aug 13, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is how I remember it, as well, Steve. A relatively pitcher-friendly park in an overwhelmingly hitter-friendly league. The further west you went, the more hitter-friendly it became. I presume lower humidity had a negative effect on pitchers’ curveballs (like our Spring Training situation), and the drier air in the west encouraged longer flight of batted balls (i.e., more homers).

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

IIRC, it was pretty easily the largest stadium configuration in the league at that time, and also, I believe, the high high humidity in Shreveport in the summertime prevented a lot of “carry” on the balls.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Aug 13, 2008 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trenton; New Britain

Lyle,
Why are both of these not a good fit if the Giants want to stay with the Eastern League at AA? Those of us in the NYC area would prefer either to Dodd. Trenton is a pretty stadium on the river and easy to get to. I can’t imagine them letting go of the Yankees affiliation though.

by NearestNorwich on Aug 13, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good question. I was assuming the Giants wanted to move geographically closer to the West Coast. I also presumed that New Britain and Trenton were happy with their current scenarios, despite no agreements listed yet. For your benefit, I hope Trenton is the answer; but, as you said, the Yankee draw can’t be discounted. It just seems to make more sense for an East Coast team to be in Norwich. But I haven’t gone down the list to see which teams east of the Mississippi aren’t in the EL, but should be.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minor league geography

I’m not sure I agree that teams benefit from concentrating their minior league affiliates in a particular region. It make a lot of sense to have your AAA team nearby for quick call-ups and one of your A league affiliates to watch fast-rising stars close hand and allow injured players to work their way back conveniently. But I think there is benefit to exposing minor leaguers to all regions and climates, which is what they will have to deal with in the majors. In addition, to the degree the Giants want to be a nationally valued brand, it helps to have at least one significant affilate in the most densely populated region in the country. It also gives their scouting personnel a base for looking at high school and college talent in this region. And finally – this is admittedly very speculative — it can’t hurt for minor leaguers to know that there’s a good chance they’ll get to perform before friends and family at some point during their long climb toward SF — this year, for example, I’m sure Joe Martinez is getting a lift from being able to pitch so often in front of friends and family from New Jersey.

by NearestNorwich on Aug 14, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

San Jose

Last I heard, the Giants still want a new stadium but was willing to work with the owners for now, though the clock is ticking on that and if no park happens, they could be gone.

Adoptive parental unit of Kevin "Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.

"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Aug 13, 2008 8:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Now granted this is speculation.

/ assumes best Rod Seirling voice.

Imagine if you will a point in the not too distant future. A time then SJ is not a Giants affiliate but an A’s affiliate. Think that would undermine the Giants claim of SJ as Giants territory? Think Bear and company has not considered that?

/ best Fargo voice.

Ya beta.

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Aug 13, 2008 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The battle for the South Bay rages on!

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do we need a surge for this?

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Troops are massing around Sunnyvale and Morgan Hill…

No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.

by Kitspool on Aug 13, 2008 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The City should have plenty of Serge to spare.

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Aug 13, 2008 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Him?

Adopted brother of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on Aug 13, 2008 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup. but with more of a lisp.
If the Beverly Hills Cop Character does not trip off your gaydar then it needs to return to the shop.

And how could I resist the "shock and awe(ful)" pun?

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

by daveinexile on Aug 13, 2008 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Giants vacate San Jose, who would move in? Admittedly the ballpark is old and a dump to some. I love it because of its charm, history, the food, and oh yeah, the baseball team. But I can’t see it attracting another team if the Giants leave.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreeance

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Aug 13, 2008 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if there’s no Giants baseball in San Jose I’ll die. I’ll just die.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Am I mistaken in thinking that the A’s are already committed to Stockton and so they are staying there for at least two more years?

Oh, I don’t think Lancaster was exactly the Red Sox first choice. I think Lancaster was essentially their best available option, not their preferred option.

by steve S on Aug 13, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the blog entry I linked to Stockton and the A’s reupped to keep them together through 2012. So you’re correct Steve.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stockton just built a pretty new little ball park too.

by Merope on Aug 13, 2008 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

For selfish reasons,

I hope the Giants move to the Midwest League. But I don’t think it’ll happen as the Giants reportedly have a very good relationship with the Greenjackets ownership group. Augusta is also a good baseball town with a good-sized fanbase and a neutralish ballpark, so the only reason to move might be proximity. And as you said Baroness, the logistics might not make such a move worthwhile.

Where the relative merits of Joe Paterson and Daniel Otero are hashed out over knife fights and tea.

by RougeGorrila on Aug 13, 2008 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great to hear that everyone’s basically happy together in Augusta. I like the coverage the Augusta Chronicle gives the Greenjackets, and it does seem like a good fit there.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Based on my recent trip to Augusta, from outward appearances, I’d say the situation is fine for both parties. Attendance was good, the ballpark comfortable, entertainment appropriate, prices reasonable, and winning baseball! Ripken Baseball™ seems to really know what they’re doing, and it shows.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dont’ forget the great team name. Wouldn’t make sense to call anyone else the Greejackets…

by tyrannoman on Aug 14, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Question?

What happens to the players on the affiliate if the team decides to go elsewhere? Do they stay with the team or what?

I'm young but i didn't fall off the truck yesterday!

by jbowl on Aug 13, 2008 9:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I only got into the minor league stuff in 2005, when all the affiliations were set as they currently are. I would imagine the players stay with the org as the org controls them, not the team itself.

That wording makes me think of the Giants minor leaguers as action figures or something.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Baron! We used to have a minor league club real close to us in Medford OR, They were an A’s affiliate I thnk and when they left the stadium turned into a ghost park. It was wierd.

I'm young but i didn't fall off the truck yesterday!

by jbowl on Aug 13, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The players, as employees of the team, go wherever the ML team’s affiliation goes. If, indeed, Connecticut and the Giants don’t renew next month, you could conceivably see Tim Alderson, Andy D’Alessio, et al, playing in San Antonio or Huntsville next year, even if/when another ML team takes over the Conncecticut affiliation (and fills that CT roster with their prospects).

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 13, 2008 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

IIRC the A’s did have a club in Medford.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants and the Giants are one of the longest running affiliations in baseball, and I can’t see it going anywhere, new stadium or not.

Same thing with Salem-Keizer. The Giants had a hand in helping the franchise start, just as with San Jose. While the ties aren’t as strong, I’ve heard no rumblings about either side being interested in moving.

Augusta’s an interesting situation. Augusta has had ties with the Giants in the past, and I know Magowan’s always liked things like that (like Hagerstown’s ties to Willie Mays), but with him not in charge…hm. Of course, just like with the Double-A situation, there’s not really many significantly further western options….unless….

We go back to the late 1990’s situation, where the Giants had no Low-A affiliation, and had two California League affiliations: San Jose and Bakersfield. (Before that, the Giants had a team in the MidWest League).

I will admit, I find the differences between Low-A and High-A not entirely significant, and I don’t think I’m the only one. On the other hand, if the Giants don’t like San Jose’s stadium situation, the Bakersfield situation won’t be ideal.

Just throwing another spoon into this dish. I’ll see what I can get out of the teams after their regular seasons (and in the case of every team with this issue, playoffs) are over. They won’t comment on it before then, to be sure.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on Aug 13, 2008 4:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m thinking this would be a good subject for a piece.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 13, 2008 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

I’d definitely advocate for two A+ teams. I think that the talent level is extremely similar.

Angel Villalona: Rush Fan? Probably.

by AngelintheInfield on Aug 14, 2008 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd really prefer one high-A and one low-A

After the Giants left Clinton in the MWL, I never thought we had a good situation with 2 teams in the CAL. Taking this year as an example, I think it’s perfect that Alderson is in High-A and Bumgarner in low-A. And I really believe there’s a difference, although certainly not as great as the jump to AA. But there, in the beginning of young guys’ careers, is precisely where you’d like to have small gradations in competition. Sure, it doesn’t matter for superstars like Lincecum; but there’s lots of other players who struggle a couple of years after getting drafted, only to become perfectly reasonable major leaguers. I’d prefer not to over-burden those guys early on. As such, I’m hoping Villalona and Fairely are advanced one level per year, max.

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Aug 14, 2008 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn’t the Giants recently have to Hi A teams and no Lo A teams? Thought some of the younger/less developed kids were being overmatched during that period.

by wilriv21 on Aug 14, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think MLB now mandates one high-A and one low-A team. I am a bit surprised at the assertion of no significant difference between the two levels. How much is that based on perceptions from the past five or so years since MLB mandated one high-A and one low-A for every organization versus perceptions from when the distinction was not clear from organization to organziation?

by steve S on Aug 14, 2008 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giants Re-Up with Augusta through 2010

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/081408/gja_469452.shtml

Read for the teams gushing over each other.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on Aug 14, 2008 5:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yay.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Aug 14, 2008 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs