There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding on how the affiliation system works. I'll take a stab at some basics:
1. When a team changes affiliations, there is no "AAA team to be named" that steps into the gap, thus no need to speculate about where such team might be located. Teams do relocate sometimes, and MLB affiliation plays some role in that, but it is far from the only factor.
2. There are already exactly enough AAA teams to go around. If the Rangers affiliate with the Express (as seems likely), then Oklahoma (the current Rangers affiliate) and Houston will be looking for a new arrangement. Nobody will be looking for a new location.
3. Affiliation arrangements are for an even number of years ... I do not think there is a max, but I do not recall anything more than 6.
4. Every two years, both the MiLB team and the MLB parent have an opportunity to express a desire to look elsewhere. This happens late summer sometime. Once all the "lookers" are identified, there is "open season" on signing agreements. This is where things like the "well kept secret" that Texas is interested in RR come into play. Houston needs to be considering options now so that when the time comes they can move quickly to avoid getting what's left when everyone else agrees.
