New MLB proposal to cut dozens of minor league affiliations leaves Cyclones, SI Yanks in limbo
CONEY ISLAND — Play ball no more? New York City’s minor league baseball teams are in limbo.
A report recently leaked to media outlets revealed that in order to deal with a variety of issues and improve conditions for professional baseball players, Major League Baseball (MLB) has proposed to de-affiliate over 40 minor league baseball (MiLB) teams by the start of the 2021 season.
Of the 42 teams in danger of no longer having MLB affiliation, nine of them are part of the New York Penn League, MiLB’s short season A league that’s home to the Staten Island Yankees and Brooklyn Cyclones. The Yankees are on the list of teams proposed to lose their major league affiliation. Although not on the list, the Cyclones’ future also remains uncertain because of its connection to the New York Penn League.