THURSDAY: The organizations have announced a four-year player development contract.
TUESDAY: The Triple-A Round Rock franchise has scheduled a press conference on Thursday night. While there’s still no official word, every indication has been that the Astros will be moving their top affiliate to Round Rock. MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart was among those to tweet that the Houston organization will indeed be formalizing an arrangement to bring its highest-level minor-leaguers into the state of Texas.
Previously, of course, both of these outfits had alternative affiliations. The Rangers had utilized Round Rock for eight seasons, but now find themselves among three MLB teams and three Triple-A sites still engaged in match-up negotiations. And the ’Stros had spent four seasons with the Fresno Grizzlies, who are now looking for a new mate.
Though the Astros-Round Rock connection wasn’t inevitable, it certainly long stood out as a strong possibility. The Triple-A outfit is, after all, owned by the Ryan family. Legendary hurler Nolan Ryan, whose nickname on the mound inspired the club’s “Express” moniker, is presently an executive advisor to the Astros. His son, Astros president of business operations Reid Ryan, is another fellow owner of the minor-league club. Both rank high atop the Houston org chart.
Thus, Round Rock CEO Reese Ryan (son of Nolan and brother of Reid) was acknowledging the obvious yesterday when he said an agreement between these organizations was an “absolute no-brainer.” (Via Mark Berman of FOX 26, on Twitter.) Details of the new pact remain to be announced.
Can’t wait for some of that Express action. Barely went at all this year because Texas was so bad.
But you were right there a few years back when Texas had a better farm system than the Astros. Fair weather fan.
Thats funny , my sister does the same thing. Giants A’s fan. Back n forth. Whoevers winning is what is “her” team.
I’m actually a twins fan who lives in Round Rock, but I like to watch my area team win. Especially because it’s hard to cheer for the Texas Stars when the stars were stolen from Minnesota when I was a kid.
This is why I rarely post on here. Can’t even make a simple comment without someone calling you a name.
Keep it in the family. Nepotism at it’s finest.
an agreement between these organizations was an “absolute no-brainer.” Sounds about right for the Ryan family and people from Texas in general. Brains are in short supply down there. Maybe they can applaud Gurriel a little harder next time.
Really?!? Stay classy, New Jersey. Oh, wait….. my bad
lol. nice sweeping generalization
The Champs!
The fact is that every fan base would’ve applauded Gurriel. Or Chapman. Or Osuna. No matter what the player did, fans would applaud if he helped them win. No fan base is immune from it.
Jersey. The people who gave us pollution and Jersey Shore.
Austin is more of an Astros city. Also, it’s location is good for the team.
Financially, it’s good for the Ryans, which makes sense for them.
Fans win bc they get to see all the upcoming prospects and rehabbing stars.
Don’t forget to mention that Round Rock was the Astros AAA affiliate years ago when guys like Hunter Pence were playing there.
So how do these agreements work? Do the Astros just basically rent the triple A affiliates name and stadium for the amount of years, and place there triple A roster there?. I’m not to keen about these affiliate agreements.
Hat tip to fjnovak1 for this explanation in comments on this MLBTR article link to mlbtraderumors.com
“The MLB club provides (and pays) the entire 25-man roster along with coaching staff (at min a Manager, pitching coach, hitting coach, trainer and strength coach). Many also provide an additional coach (bench coach, base coach) and a video guy who sometimes is a seasonal employee or intern. The local minor league team provides the front office staff who sells seats, operates the ballpark, team store, as well as the clubhouse ops staff. MLB and the minor league clubs split costs of team travel, hotels, and equipment.”