I don’t want to be too over-the-top about this, because the coming affiliation drops and changes have been on the table for a long time. With minor league affiliations dropping from 160 to 120 next year, and with a major reorganization of operations coming, everyone has long been on notice that your structure in 2021 might not look anything like your structure before 2020.
THAT SAID … how can it be that TWO minor league affiliates are literally learning of their separation from the Yankees and Mets on Twitter?
The Staten Island Yankees are out of the Yankees organization, and although they’d been in talks, they found out those talks were at a close when the Yankees announced their new affiliations on Twitter:
— Staten Island Yankees (@SIYanks) November 9, 2020
And today, in tandem with the big introductory press conference for new owner Steve Cohen, the Mets revealed their new affiliations … much to the surprise of one of their old affiliations:
Did…..did we just get dumped via Twitter?! https://t.co/tV7iyVOwA3
— Columbia Fireflies (@ColaFireflies) November 10, 2020
Just because everyone knew changes were coming doesn’t mean these affiliates should be surprised when the announcement comes. Maybe give them a phone call before you send the tweet? It’s bad enough that 40+ communities are losing professional affiliations.
As we’ve discussed, at least some change is coming for the Cubs, given that (1) the short-season low-A level is going away (that’s the Eugene Emeralds, currently), and (2) the shuffling of levels might leave the Cubs with two current affiliates at the same level (South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans might both be in High-A leagues next year). Whatever happens – and apparently these decisions are coming soon – I hope that things are communicated well.