By Patrick Gunn
Multiple outlets, including Baseball America, are reporting that the Yankees are changing up their minor league affiliates. The Somerset Patriots will become the Yankees’ new Double-A team, while the Hudson Valley Renegades will be the new Single-A team.
The New York Yankees will have minor league affiliates in Somerset and Hudson Valley in 2021 and beyond and will not be affiliated with Trenton and Staten Island, Baseball America has learned from multiple sources. ($)https://t.co/1Glz2EQ1oP — JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) November 6, 2020
The Trenton Thunder and the Charlestown RiverDogs were the Yankees’ previous affiliates at both levels respectively. In addition, again part of the Baseball America report that was further covered by Bridgewater Courier News, the Yankees have also cut ties with the Staten Island Short-A Yankees. Yankees’ Scranton-Wilkes Barre reporter, Conor Foley, Tweeted out the time on the road between each affiliate:
Regarding potential Yankees affiliate news … SWB to Somerset: 2-hour drive Somerset to Hudson Valley: 1.5-hour drive Hudson Valley to SWB: 1:40 drive SWB to Yankee Stadium: 2-hour drive Somerset to Yankee Stadium: 1-hour drive Hudson Valley to Yankee Stadium: 1:20 drive — Conor Foley (@RailRidersTT) November 6, 2020
If the reports are confirmed, I think that the changes a mixed bag. On one hand, the Yankees’ new affiliates are all within a close drive. Also, the Patriots have a great ballpark and Somerset will be a fantastic new home for the Double-A baby Bombers.
On the other, MLB is consolidating Minor League Baseball teams across the country, and it would be a shame to see both Trenton and Charlestown potentially go under. Now, both franchises could find new owners, but the pandemic may further halt future MiLB seasons.
I sincerely hope that these franchises either find new teams or join independent leagues. What are your thoughts on the Yankees’ potentially shifting their Minor League landscape?
