Major League Baseball has issued a proposal to eliminate it’s connection with 42 minor league teams, including the Chattanooga Lookouts, who currently serve as the Double-A affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds. According to MLB, the proposal is an effort to overhaul the way lower minor leagues are structured and the way in which players are developed. As proposed, MLB hopes to implement the revamp beginning with the 2021 season.
After ties are cut, the 42 teams would become independent clubs and be allowed to join the Dream League, a league made up of undrafted and released players.
Under the current minor league system, parent ball clubs provide players to field teams and pay player salaries. Stadium and field maintenance, equipment, uniforms and travel are all paid for by the minor league organization. This agreement is part of the Professional Baseball Agreement, which in its current form, expires following the 2020 season.
Major League Baseball says the changes would improve the development of prospects and improve the conditions in which they work. The new plan will increase the number of off days for players, reduce travel time and provide better transportation and lodging options. Ballparks must meet MLB’s proposal for enhanced standards.
The current minor league system is made up of 160 MLB-affiliated teams. If the proposal is accepted, 42 teams would be cut and two independent clubs would be added. The move would eliminate hundreds of players from the minor league system and would allow teams to increase the salaries of contracted players. Recently, MLB has come under fire for low player salaries at the minor league level.
Chattanooga’s connection with minor league baseball dates back to the 1880’s, and the Lookouts have called Chattanooga home for over 100-years. Dozens of other towns and cities that could be negatively affected have their own story.
Below is a list of the teams that would be affected by Major League Baseball’s proposed plan.
Auburn (N.Y.) Doubledays
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Washington Nationals
Batavia (N.Y.) Muckdogs
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Miami Marlins
Billings (Mont.) Mustangs
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Cincinnati Reds
Binghamton (N.Y.) Rumble Ponies
Level: AA
League: Eastern League
Major league affiliate: Mets
Bluefield (W. Va.) Blue Jays
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Toronto Blue Jays
Bristol (Va.) Pirates
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Pittsburgh Pirates
Burlington (Iowa) Bees
Level: A
League: Midwest League
Major league affiliate: Los Angeles Angels
Burlington (N.C.) Royals
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Kansas City Royals
Chattanooga (Tenn.) Lookouts
Level: AA
League: Southern League
Major league affiliate: Cincinnati Reds
Clinton (Iowa) LumberKings
Level: A
League: Midwest League
Major league affiliate: Miami Marlins
(Norwich) Connecticut Tigers
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Detroit Tigers
Danville (Va.) Braves
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Atlanta Braves
Daytona (Fla.) Tortugas
Level: Advanced A
League: Florida State League
Major league affiliate: Cincinnati Reds
Elizabethton (Tenn.) Twins
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Minnesota Twins
Erie (Pa.) SeaWolves
Level: AA
League: Eastern League
Major league affiliate: Detroit Tigers
(Kissimmee) Florida Fire Frogs
Level: Advanced A
League: Florida State League
Major league affiliate: Atlanta Braves
Frederick (Md.) Keys
Level: Advanced A
League: Carolina League
Major league affiliate: Baltimore Orioles
Grand Junction (Colo.) Rockies
Level: Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Colorado Rockies
Great Falls (Mont.) Voyagers
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Chicago White Sox
Greeneville (Tenn.) Reds
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Cincinnati Reds
Hagerstown (Md.) Suns
Level: A
League: South Atlantic League
Major league affiliate: Washington Nationals
Idaho Falls Chukars
Level: Rookie Advanced
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Kansas City Royals
Jackson (Tenn.) Generals
Level: AA
League: Southern League
Major league affiliate: Arizona Diamondbacks
Johnson City (Tenn.) Cardinals
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: St. Louis Cardinals
Kingsport (Tenn.) Mets
Level: Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Mets
Lancaster (Calif.) Jethawks
Level: Advanced A
League: California League
Major league affiliate: Colorado Rockies
Lexington (Ky.) Legends
Level: A
League: South Atlantic League
Major league affiliate: Kansas City Royals
Lowell (Mass.) Spinners
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Boston Red Sox
Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Scrappers
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Cleveland Indians
Missoula (Mont.) PaddleHeads
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Arizona Diamondbacks
Ogden (Utah) Raptors
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Los Angeles Dodgers
Orem (Utah) Owlz
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Los Angeles Angels
Princeton (W.Va.) Rays
Level: Advanced Rookie
League: Appalachian League
Major league affiliate: Tampa Bay Rays
Quad Cities (Iowa) River Bandits
Level: A
League: Midwest League
Major league affiliate: Houston Astros
Rocky Mountain (Colo.) Vibes
Level: Rookie
League: Pioneer League
Major league affiliate: Milwaukee Brewers
Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Volcanoes
Level: Short-Season A
League: Northwest League
Major league affiliate: San Francisco Giants
State College (Pa.) Spikes
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: St. Louis Cardinals
Staten Island (N.Y.) Yankees
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Yankees
Tri-City (Wash.) Dust Devils
Level: Short-Season A
League: Northwest League
Major league affiliate: San Diego Padres
(Burlington) Vermont Lake Monsters
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Oakland A’s
(Charleston) West Virginia Power
Level: A
League: South Atlantic League
Major league affiliate: Seattle Mariners
Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters
Level: Short-Season A
League: New York-Penn League
Major league affiliate: Philadelphia Phillies