Lex pitchers to skip Lancaster?

[Duman]

According to Kyle Greenwalt, that may be in the plans:

“Once spring training comes around, from what our pitching coordinator had said, he wants our starting rotation from here to be in double-A next year in Corpus Christi,” said Greenwalt. “I just got to get ready for that.”

[jbm]

If so, is this because they are ready for AA, or the organization doesn't want them exposed to Lancaster. 

[Duman]

If so, is this because they are ready for AA, or the organization doesn't want them exposed to Lancaster. 

Story talks about the conditions in Lancaster.  But if they are not ready for AA, they will be in Lancaster.  It sounds to me like motivation to work hard in the off season so they can skip AA.  I wouldn't think all 5 will be there.  Maybe one or two.

[Russe]

If so, is this because they are ready for AA, or the organization doesn't want them exposed to Lancaster. 

My uninformed speculation: it depends how many guys make the jump. If the whole Lexington rotation is in AA next year, it's more likely that the org doesn't want them to have to deal with the Lancaster environment. If it's just a few of them, then I'd guess the org would think that those guys could handle the jump.

Either way, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Astros try to move out of the Cali league this offseason if possible.

[Duman]

Either way, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Astros try to move out of the Cali league this offseason if possible.

They signed a two year deal. I wouldn't think they could get out of it until after the 10 season but they will try hard to get back to the Carolina League or the FSL then.

[jbm]

Yeah, I should have read the article.  Nice article by the way.  Thanks for the link.

If the statement about Lancaster being a bad place to develop pitchers is actually the org's belief, I guess relocating makes sense.  However, it would be nice to see how the current Lancaster guys do at CC next year.  Maybe Lancaster toughens em up and teaches them some things.

[VirtualBob]

They signed a two year deal. I wouldn't think they could get out of it until after the 10 season but they will try hard to get back to the Carolina League or the FSL then.

By agreement, changes can only be made after an even-numbered year.  I agree, though, that they will try to get back to the Carolina League.  Better any number of ways, but the most significant is that the smaller league size requires these guys to learn how to adjust.  That is a very significant indicator of future success.  And while the extreme hitter's parks in the California League might be demoralizing to pitchers, I think that whole aspect of Lancaster is less important to player development.

[Andyzipp]

Not to this group of pitchers, but will the probable loss of RR as the AAA affiliate have any effect on this decision?

[Jacksonian]

Not to this group of pitchers, but will the probable loss of RR as the AAA affiliate have any effect on this decision?

Are you talking about moving high-A to the Carolina or FSL leagues?  If so, no.

[VirtualBob]

Are you talking about moving high-A to the Carolina or FSL leagues?  If so, no.

Hopefully, they will focus on the Carolina League.  Between the number of teams and the number of rainouts, the FSL may be the least attractive of the three options.

And on the topic of AAA, where do you think they will look?  Back to New Orleans, maybe?  Or maybe a trade with the Rangers for Okie City?  Not likely that Oklahoma would ever become Astro country, though.

[juliogotay]

Hopefully, they will focus on the Carolina League.  Between the number of teams and the number of rainouts, the FSL may be the least attractive of the three options.

And on the topic of AAA, where do you think they will look?  Back to New Orleans, maybe?  Or maybe a trade with the Rangers for Okie City?  Not likely that Oklahoma would ever become Astro country, though.

OKC was once the Colt .45s/Astros AAA affliliate. For what it's worth.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

OKC was once the Colt .45s/Astros AAA affliliate. For what it's worth.

I've been to the stadium in OKC.  It's nice.  They've done a nice job building up the surrounding area and creating a small "River Walk" area.  Don't get me wrong, losing RR is gonna suck.  But they could do worse than OKC. 

[VirtualBob]

OKC was once the Colt .45s/Astros AAA affliliate. For what it's worth.

thru '72 ... that is, mostly before the Senators Rangers were in Texas.  I still doubt that there would be much Astro fanbase in OK.

[juliogotay]

thru '72 ... that is, mostly before the Senators Rangers were in Texas.  I still doubt that there would be much Astro fanbase in OK.

No. Oklahomans follow Texas and StL predominantly...at least through their sports pages.

Have I missed something? Was there an announcement about RR or is this just conjecture?

[austro]

No. Oklahomans follow Texas and StL predominantly...at least through their sports pages.

Have I missed something? Was there an announcement about RR or is this just conjecture?

Conjecture, but the tea leaves don't look good.

[VirtualBob]

Conjecture, but the tea leaves don't look good.

And again ... the agreement in place does not allow for anything beyond conjecture at this point.  Sometime (mid season?) next year the parent clubs and the affiliates have an opportunity to declare their intention to look around.  Until then, lips are sealed.

[jbm]

Was there talk at one time about Sugarland as the Astros' AAA location?

[juliogotay]

And again ... the agreement in place does not allow for anything beyond conjecture at this point.  Sometime (mid season?) next year the parent clubs and the affiliates have an opportunity to declare their intention to look around.  Until then, lips are sealed.

While I would personally hate to see that happen, and I know it would be very disappointing for those of you living in the Austin area, if I were Ryan I would make the change simply because Austin has always been a battleground for hearts-n-minds between the two Texas teams. There is nothing but upside for them that I can see.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

While I would personally hate to see that happen, and I know it would be very disappointing for those of you living in the Austin area, if I were Ryan I would make the change simply because Austin has always been a battleground for hearts-n-minds between the two Texas teams. There is nothing but upside for them that I can see.

I believe that is the premise for all the conjecture.  That and his current role within the Rangers organization.

[juliogotay]

I believe that is the premise for all the conjecture.  That and his current role within the Rangers organization.

Right. And there is not reason to think his "current" role won't be a long-term role if not even an increasing role. Part of an ownership group? I wish he was doing the exact same thing in the Astros organization but I guess I better give up on that idea.

[JimR]

While I would personally hate to see that happen, and I know it would be very disappointing for those of you living in the Austin area, if I were Ryan I would make the change simply because Austin has always been a battleground for hearts-n-minds between the two Texas teams. There is nothing but upside for them that I can see.

Austin has always been an Astros town. imo, many of the Express season ticket holders will renew simply because there is a team, any team, in RR. i will not.

two seasons ago at the season ticket holders party before the season, i told Reid i was happy he reupped with Houston. he was openly very critical of Houston's management and made no attempt to keep others from hearing his words. when he moved on to work the room, i thought "uh oh."

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Austin has always been an Astros town. imo, many of the Express season ticket holders will renew simply because there is a team, any team, in RR. i will not.

two seasons ago at the season ticket holders party before the season, i told Reid i was happy he reupped with Houston. he was openly very critical of Houston's management and made no attempt to keep others from hearing his words. when he moved on to work the room, i thought "uh oh."

Would you mind sharing the specifics of his criticism?  More importantly, are his issues addressed with what appear to be stronger drafts and a faster pace to player development (when justified, obviously)?

[juliogotay]

Austin has always been an Astros town. imo, many of the Express season ticket holders will renew simply because there is a team, any team, in RR. i will not.

two seasons ago at the season ticket holders party before the season, i told Reid i was happy he reupped with Houston. he was openly very critical of Houston's management and made no attempt to keep others from hearing his words. when he moved on to work the room, i thought "uh oh."

Uh oh is right.

[Guinness]

Was there talk at one time about Sugarland as the Astros' AAA location?

I've been looking around for info on that, but haven't found anything past 2007 news articles saying Sugarland is developing some land that would include a minor league stadium.  No data on what team or level.  That would be pretty awesome.  Are there rules regarding proximity of minor league stadiums to major league stadiums?  If it wasn't an Astros club, would the Astros object to it being so close?  I, for one, would probably go to Sugarland more often than I'd go downtown (being in Katy it's a lot closer and likely much cheaper).

[JimR]

Would you mind sharing the specifics of his criticism?  More importantly, are his issues addressed with what appear to be stronger drafts and a faster pace to player development (when justified, obviously)?

yes and no

[roadrunner]

I've been looking around for info on that, but haven't found anything past 2007 news articles saying Sugarland is developing some land that would include a minor league stadium.  No data on what team or level.  That would be pretty awesome.  Are there rules regarding proximity of minor league stadiums to major league stadiums?  If it wasn't an Astros club, would the Astros object to it being so close?  I, for one, would probably go to Sugarland more often than I'd go downtown (being in Katy it's a lot closer and likely much cheaper).

There is something set up that doesn't allow Minor League teams to compete in a metro area that has a Major League team.  However, there must be some flexibility because Dallas is trying to build a minor league stadium downtown and Brooklyn has an A ball team if I'm not mistaken.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

There is something set up that doesn't allow Minor League teams to compete in a metro area that has a Major League team.  However, there must be some flexibility because Dallas is trying to build a minor league stadium downtown and Brooklyn has an A ball team if I'm not mistaken.

Are you sure about that?  Texas' AA team, the Frisco Rough Riders, are all of 30minutes outside Dallas, maybe 18-20 miles.  Now, Texas plays in Arlington, which is one of the "mid-cities" in the D/FW area, but they are still in the same metro area. 

[roadrunner]

Are you sure about that?  Texas' AA team, the Frisco Rough Riders, are all of 30minutes outside Dallas, maybe 18-20 miles.  Now, Texas plays in Arlington, which is one of the "mid-cities" in the D/FW area, but they are still in the same metro area. 

Yeah, like I said, there is some flexibility in that.  There is some general non-compete agreement, but certain places get around that.  I don't know the details, but I remember reading about when I read about Dallas trying to get a minor league team. 

I'm sure Sugar Land would figure out a way to get a minor league team if the town wanted one bad enough.

[OregonStrosFan]

They signed a two year deal. I wouldn't think they could get out of it until after the 10 season but they will try hard to get back to the Carolina League or the FSL then.

Saw this on the Lancaster site (which didn't particularly jive with some of the things I thought I'd read previously). JetHawks 9/22/08 press release

(LANCASTER, CA) – The Lancaster JetHawks have signed an agreement with the Houston Astros to be its High Class-A affiliate beginning with the 2009 season. *** The two organizations have signed an initial two-year agreement to place the affiliation in Lancaster and will automatically sign a two-year extension at the conclusion of the 2009 season with the JetHawks management team that will extend the affiliation through the 2012 season.

Any info on this Duman?

[Duman]

Saw this on the Lancaster site (which didn't particularly jive with some of the things I thought I'd read previously). JetHawks 9/22/08 press release

(LANCASTER, CA) – The Lancaster JetHawks have signed an agreement with the Houston Astros to be its High Class-A affiliate beginning with the 2009 season. *** The two organizations have signed an initial two-year agreement to place the affiliation in Lancaster and will automatically sign a two-year extension at the conclusion of the 2009 season with the JetHawks management team that will extend the affiliation through the 2012 season.

Any info on this Duman?

Now that you mention that, I do remember reading that at the time but had repressed it because I couldn't believe it was correct. 

[Jacksonian]

Saw this on the Lancaster site (which didn't particularly jive with some of the things I thought I'd read previously). JetHawks 9/22/08 press release

(LANCASTER, CA) – The Lancaster JetHawks have signed an agreement with the Houston Astros to be its High Class-A affiliate beginning with the 2009 season. *** The two organizations have signed an initial two-year agreement to place the affiliation in Lancaster and will automatically sign a two-year extension at the conclusion of the 2009 season with the JetHawks management team that will extend the affiliation through the 2012 season.

Any info on this Duman?

Don't be surprised if the JetHawks move out of Lancaster and into the Carolina League by then.  Having a major league org signed would help get a move done if the Carolina League opens up.

[austro]

Don't be surprised if the JetHawks move out of Lancaster and into the Carolina League by then.  Having a major league org signed would help get a move done if the Carolina League opens up.

I assume that the contract is with the JetHawks, not with Lancaster. Right?

[VirtualBob]

Don't be surprised if the JetHawks move out of Lancaster and into the Carolina League by then.  Having a major league org signed would help get a move done if the Carolina League opens up.

That would not really address the league size question.  It would also require two teams to move, wouldn't it?

[Duman]

That would not really address the league size question.  It would also require two teams to move, wouldn't it?

Yes it would