The minor league system is an integral part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape. Since its inception in 1901, the minor league system has been a key development tool for the MLB. Thousands of players have come up through the minor leagues and made it to the major leagues.
Unfortunately, the 2020 season brought some major changes to the minor league system. In an effort to reduce costs and improve the quality of play in the minors, MLB announced that it would be cutting the number of minor league teams down from 160 to 120. These cuts would affect 42 minor league teams across the United States.
Impact of the Cuts
The cuts to the minor league system had a huge impact on the teams, players, and communities that were affected by them. The teams that were cut had to make the difficult decision to either fold or move to another league. Many of the players who were on these teams were left without a team or had to find a new team in another league.
The communities that were affected by the cuts also felt the impact. Many of these communities had been the home of minor league teams for decades, and the teams were a source of pride and community identity. The loss of the teams was a huge blow to these communities.
Why Did MLB Cut Teams?
The decision to cut teams from the minor league system was made in order to reduce costs and improve the quality of play in the minors. MLB estimated that the cuts would save the league about $20 million in travel and other expenses.
MLB also wanted to improve the quality of play in the minors. By cutting teams from the system, MLB could focus on providing more resources to the teams that remain. This would help improve the quality of play in the minors and ensure that the best players are able to develop their skills and move up to the major leagues.
Teams That Got Cut
A total of 42 teams were cut from the minor league system. These teams were spread out across the United States, with teams in states like California, Florida, New York, and Texas being cut.
The following is a list of the teams that got cut:
- Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League)
- Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A, Eastern League)
- Charlotte Stone Crabs (High-A, Florida State League)
- Dayton Dragons (Low-A, Midwest League)
- Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League)
- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Double-A, Southern League)
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A, International League)
- Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A, Southern League)
- Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, International League)
- Tulsa Drillers (Double-A, Texas League)
Efforts to Save Teams
In the wake of the announcement of the cuts, many of the affected teams and communities made efforts to save their teams. Teams like the Fresno Grizzlies and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs held rallies and petition drives in an effort to save their teams.
These efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, but some teams were able to find new homes in other leagues. The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, for example, were able to join the Double-A Northeast League.
Changes to the Minor League System
The cuts to the minor league system have not only affected the teams and players directly, but they have also had an impact on the minor league system as a whole.
One of the most significant changes is the hierarchy of the minor leagues. Under the new system, there are three tiers of minor leagues: Triple-A, Double-A, and High-A. This is a change from the previous system, which had four tiers: Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Low-A.
The changes to the minor league system also mean that some teams will have to move up a level. Teams like the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, who were previously in the Double-A Southern League, will now be playing in the Triple-A International League.
The Future of Minor League Baseball
The cuts to the minor league system have had a huge impact on the teams, players, and communities involved, and it is unclear what the future of minor league baseball will look like.
It is likely that MLB will continue to look for ways to improve the quality of play in the minors. This could mean further cuts to the minor league system or other changes.
It is also possible that some of the teams that were cut will find new homes in other leagues. This could mean that minor league teams that are no longer affiliated with MLB will be playing in independent leagues in the future.
Reactions to the Cuts
The decision to cut teams from the minor league system has been met with a lot of criticism from players, fans, and communities.
Players have been especially vocal in their criticism of the cuts, citing the impact it has had on their careers. Many players have found themselves without a team or with the need to find a new team in another league.
Fans and communities have also been vocal in their criticism of the cuts. Many of these communities have been home to minor league teams for decades, and the loss of these teams has been a huge blow to them.
Conclusion
The decision to cut teams from the minor league system has had a huge impact on the teams, players, and communities that were affected by it. The cuts have also had an impact on the minor league system as a whole, with changes being made to the hierarchy of the minor leagues and some teams having to move up a level.
The future of minor league baseball is uncertain, but it is likely that MLB will continue to look for ways to improve the quality of play in the minors. It is also possible that some of the teams that were cut will find new homes in other leagues.
No matter what happens in the future, the cuts to the minor league system will have a lasting impact on the teams, players, and communities that were affected by them.