Iowa Cubs are Here to Stay!

[guitarchitect7]

CHICAGO CUBS EXTEND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT WITH IOWA

The Chicago Cubs announced Thursday that they have extended their Player
Development Contract (PDC) with the Iowa Cubs for another four years, thus
assuring the affiliation to the parent club through the 2012 season.

The 2008 campaign will mark the 28th season in which Iowa has served as the
Cubs¹ Triple-A affiliate. The current relationship is the 12th longest among the 159
clubs in affiliated baseball, with the longest being a 49-year pairing between
the Baltimore Orioles and the single-A Bluefield, West Virginia club.

The Cubs also extended their PDC by four years with their double-A club in
Kodak, TN, class-A affiliates in Daytona, FL and Peoria, IL and a two-year
extension with rookie level Boise, ID.

By the end of these current contracts, the Cubs will have enjoyed a total of
76 seasons of relationships with its five minor league affiliates.

"We are thrilled to extend agreements with our five minor league
affiliates," said Cubs Vice President of Player Personnel, Oneri Fleita.
"Our minor league clubs are a key contributor to the recent success we have
enjoyed at the major league level, and they continue to help develop players
who will impact the organization in the future."

A look at the Chicago Cubs minor league system and their first year with
those clubs:

Club First year PDC expires* Total years
Class AAA Iowa 1981 2012 32
Class AA Tennessee 2007 2012 6
Class A Daytona 1993 2012 20
Class A Peoria 2005 2012 8
Rookie-level Boise 2001 2010 10
*- after that baseball season

 

[DaddyMac]

Thank God - I renewed my tickets yesterday.

 

[SuperCy]

I'm asking because I don't know. Was this an issue that they were worried about or are they just getting it done?

 

[guitarchitect7]

I think Des Moines was worried, but it was more of just getting it done. As you notice they renewed ever levels contract.

 

[DaddyMac]

I'm asking because I don't know. Was this an issue that they were worried about or are they just getting it done?

I few weeks back - Dumber of Dumb & Dumber was running off at the mouth about how somebody in Omaha might be a player for the Chicago buy. And that if it happened, they would be inclined to move the Cubs AAA franchise to Omaha, and replace the Royals. It probably would've amounted to a switch of affiliations

I think that type of talk got some worried. IMO, the I-Cubs are popular in DSM mostly because they are affiliated with Chicago. I don't think the Royals would be remotely as much of a draw here.

 

[wesley_w]

This is good news!!! I actually enjoy going to minor league baseball games more than the big leagues.

 

[drmwevr08]

I think both Des Moines and the Cub organization have a pretty good thing going and either would be foolish for disturbing the arrangement. There is absolutely NOTHING to be gained for the Cubs to move to Omaha. Its farther from the parent club, doesnt have the built in fan base and has a crappy stadium.

 

[tim_redd]

I always like how when guys get called up they make it to Chicago in a matter of hours, but when someone gets demoted it takes like 3 days.

 

[CrossCyed]

The I-Cubs have a nicer ballpark than the real Cubs.

 

[Wesley]

Hope Fukudome does not get sent down to the minors - the Rag would start raggin on him with his name. People are already doing that on the Colin Cowherd show this morning.

 

[AirWalke]

I love that the iCubs are sticking with Des Moines. Just wouldn't be the same going to see games there if it were a Royals franchise.

 

[DaddyMac]

I love that the iCubs are sticking with Des Moines. Just wouldn't be the same going to see games there if it were a Royals franchise.

I think that's a common sentiment.

My season ticket would get cancelled ASAP should that ever happen.

 

[cyinthesky]

I think the Omaha faithfull might have a thing or two to say about a possible move. Omaha has been the only Triple-A location for the Kansas City Royals since their inception in 1969. I hope & pray the Cubbies stay here forever.

 

[CTAClone]

I didn't even know there was an option for them to leave. I'm glad they are staying.

 

[drmwevr08]

I think the Omaha faithfull might have a thing or two to say about a possible move. Omaha has been the only Triple-A location for the Kansas City Royals since their inception in 1969. I hope & pray the Cubbies stay here forever.

The Omaha faithful are few and far between, have you checked attendance! :biggrin:

I think both cities are fine staying with their present teams though.

 

[superdorf]

This is great news. I love having the I-Cubs in my hometown!