Back in March, I reported that the Chicago Cubs were considering changing their A-ball affiliation, which is currently with the Peoria Chiefs. At the time, the South Bend Silver Hawks were the possible target, but the organization there took the steps necessary to stick with the Diamondbacks, and the rumor died on the vine.
Until now.
According to Gordon Wittenmyer (and a tipster early this morning), the Cubs are planning to change their affiliation from Peoria to Kane County, just west of Chicago, as soon as next season. The Cubs have been affiliated with the Peoria Chiefs for the last eight years, and had a previous 10-year run with the organization in the late-80s/early-90s.
Although the move would undoubtedly be sad for some folks down in the Peoria area, you can understand the Cubs’ desire to relocate the A-ball affiliation some 120 miles closer to Chicago. It would make seeing some of the top prospects in the system a little easier for Chicago locals (and folks who travel into Chicago for a Cubs game, for example).
As for the Chiefs, given those pre-season rumors, I can’t help but suspect that they aren’t going to be blindsided by this news. They’ll find a new affiliation, and move on. These things can be unpleasant, but they happen.
Well damn, that figures.
It’s SUCH a shame that for some reason South Bend decided to extend it’s affiliation with the Diamondbacks! Attendance has been suffering in South Bend and had they been able to bring the Cubs A team to South Bend, it would have been HUGE! There are so many Cubs fans in this area, I am sure their attendance would have skyrocketed! Around here, who the F#*$ cares about the Diamondbacks!!!
Who ever made that bonehead decision should be kicking themselves about now.
I always wondered why neither of the Chicago teams made a move for Kane County. They are a well-run and profitable organization that has switched affiliations multiple times. It makes a lot of sense to keep your rehab guys close and allow your fan base to see some of your prospects on their way up.
Peoria will be OK…maybe make a move for a Cardinals franchise. Pretty split between CHC/STL down there and they do have a past.
The Chiefs do have a past with the Cardinals, you’re right on that. But, the Cards still have their Class-A affiliation in the Quad Cities right now. Don’t know if they would make a move right now or not. I know a lot of Cubs fan around here that would not be happy about that.
Cardinals will probably go to Peoria as I believe their contract is up after this year in the Quad Cities. As someone who grew up seeing the QC Angels and QC Cubs it won’t hurt my feelings to see the Cards leave, but it will hurt Quad City attendance.
Peoria needs to have either a Cub or Cardinal affiliate to be successful. Springfield was the same way and lost minor league ball because of it (and an outdated stadium).
This move gives the Cardinals more market share downstate, where they already are ahead or equal to the Cubs from Peoria south. It doesn’t mean much to Chicagoland fans, but it really hurts downstate. It also means there are potentially more obnoxious, asshat Cardinal fans, which should scare everyone.
Agreed but as someone from the Springfield area I’d say that had more to do with the outdated facilities, bad location, lack of parking, etc.
Peoria has a beautiful stadium, easily accessible, sufficient parking, etc. and will be attractive to some team. I’d be surprised if their attendance doesn’t suffer no matter which team comes in though, Cardinals included.
I live in the Springfield area now and agree about the stadium, parking, etc. Peoria attendance would probably drop a little bit with the Cardinals but would come back fairly quickly. I just think a lot of young people in the area that go to Peoria games may turn into Card fans instead of Cubs.
Can’t wait, now I can see Cubs top prospects more often now, too bad I missed out on Baez and probably Jorge Soler.
As a Wheaton-ite, I fully support this decision!
As a Lombarian and working a mere mile from the stadium. YES!
f*cking depressing.
awhyeah! i live like 10 minutes from kane county
SWEEEETTTT!
Now bring AAA to Schaumburg.
Haha Yes!!!
Brett, as you can assume I am VERY excited. For other who don’t know I am a batboy for the KC Cougars and also help out our clubhouse manager. Very exciting.
get me a job! lol
If only it were that easy haha
Yup, this would be pretty sweet for you.
Defiantly. Hopefully Soler starts the season here, I, missing 2 of the 3 games he’s here labor day weekend for a wedding.
Ironic I suppose that an A-baller will be a full grown Cougar, hoping to grow up to be a Cub.
I liked the Cubs having a presence in Cenral Illinois. Too bad.
As a Peoria native finally getting excited about some of the talent coming through town, this blows the big one!
Well that SUCKS! I love having the Chiefs just up the road! One more depressing thing about being a central Illinois Cubs fan….
I completely agree!
im sure soler will start next year in Daytona. so next year we have almora, dunston, vogelbach and blackburn to look forward to watching in kane county!
This is amazing! I live in kane county and now I can go see some more Cubbies minor league games.
I will miss the Chiefs, but good for the Cubs. This front office does things the right way.
Well, CRAP! I live about 45 minutes Southwest of Peoria. Gonna miss out on all the Cubbie prospects coming through Central Illinois.
Stole this from a friend, but, how many times do you think the Kane County Cubbies will outdraw the White Sox?
almost every game…they probably outsell them now cuz its PACKED every single game with police escorts
Not sure I understand this one. The difference in a drive from Peoria to Wrigley and Kane County to Wrigley is about 45 minutes to an hour.
It is great marketing for the Cubs in downstate Illinois as well.
Perhaps the Cubs won’t play in Peoria as much as they have…
Not liking this at all! If this happens, there goes my plans to get season tickets for next season with the Chiefs. I understand why the Cubs would want to do this…but it will be disappointing to not see Cub prospects come through Peoria.
That would of been pretty sweet seeing the A team move from Peoria to South Bend, being that i live 30min from there. Always wondered why the hell the diamondbacks’ A team was in South Bend in the first place lol
Not crazy about this. Don’t see the gain here. I assume it’s money but having that presence in central Ill was very good for the Cubs. I could understand the move from Lansing to Peoria. Don’t see the advantage from Peoria to Kane County.
I live close to and drive by Kane County Stadium and it’s PACKED every game….they have police escorting traffic in and out of stadium. I cant imagine how it’s going to be once they become a Cubs affiliate…its gonna be even more nucking futs every game!!! But i definitely support this decision & it makes tons of sense to go with the Kane County Cougars.
MLBTR is reporting the Giants are looking for a leftfielder. Too bad we don’t have a match.. Oh wait… Damn those no trade rights.
I think they could use a closer as well….Marmol and DeJesus?
Sounds good to me. I don’t know if a playoff club would trust Marmol as a closer, but he has been good lately and could add good depth to a pen.
That sucks, but I’m not surprised. I think the Cubs have been wanting to get a rehab location as close to Chicago, as possible, and well, this is about as close as you can get.
Still hope this is wrong, but I fear it’s not. Thanks for the update just the same.
I wouldn’t be suprised if the cubs add another A team to the system. They need another team to handle all the players.
Great news for me. Since I live right near the Kane County Cougars. I think this is also a smart business move. A minor league team for the Cubs, in the nearby Chicago suburbs? Are you kidding me? Attendance compared to Peoria will be LAUGHABLE.
YES!
30 minute drive from lovely Oswego to see Soler next year and maybe Vogelbach!