Just AAAsking

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm glad. (I would have been equally happy with Syracuse.)

I like the trend that's developed where teams try to get their affiliates as close to home base as possible.

Any word on the fate of the Zephyrs?

The Mets' stay in New Orleans (two years) is their shortest Triple A affiliation since they spent one year in Syracuse in 1962. (And that team was shared with the Senators.)

The other short stints were three years in Buffalo (1963 through 1965) and Jacksonville (1966 through 1968).

Useless fun fact: Three of the Mets AAA cities were, or would become NFL cities. (Buffalo, Jacksonville, New Orleans)

[Valadius]

Last I heard, the Nationals were likely candidates for the Zephyrs.

[bmfc1]

Today's [u:1d5c5f0865]Washington Post[/u:1d5c5f0865] ("Mets Salvage Split") says that the Nationals are looking at Syracuse:
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Principal owner Mark Lerner, President Stan Kasten and Bowden toured the facilities of the Syracuse Chiefs yesterday and discussed the potential relocation of their Class AAA team.

Washington will likely know its fate toward the end of the weekend. Syracuse officials tomorrow will give a similar tour to the Florida Marlins, who are also looking to relocate.

Washington had been affiliated with Columbus, which yesterday signed a deal with the Indians. The Nationals believe that Syracuse makes sense because the city is along Interstate 81, same as Harrisburg, Pa., the Class AA affiliate. Also, the Chiefs play in the International League, which would required less travel than the Pacific Coast League. Other potential landing spots for a Washington affiliate participate in the PCL.

[Valadius]

You know what? Syracuse getting the Nationals makes sense. They could even rename the team the Syracuse Nationals.

[Frayed Knot]

]Any word on the fate of the Zephyrs?

Assuming the finality of the Mets move to Buffalo and the similarly impending Dodger shift from Las Vegas to Alburquerque, three AAA cities remain open and three teams waiting to sit in one of those chairs when the music stops:

Las Vegas -- New Orleans -- Syracuse
Marlins -- Nationals -- Blue Jays

so two East teams will wind up with a PCL team and one of them with a far west squad.

[Frayed Knot]

Washington hooks up with Syracuse
Florida with New Orleans
Toronto to Las Vegas