The Mets are moving their Triple-A affiliate from Sin City to Syracuse after the 2018 season, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday.
The New York Mets are hoping to purchase the franchise rights to the Syracuse Chiefs minor league baseball team in a deal that saw “negotiation support” from Gov. Cuomo.
The agreement — which needs to be approved by Major league Baseball, Onondaga County and the Chiefs’ owners — guarantees that the team will continue to play at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse through at least 2025.
The governor, state lawmakers and local officials joined Mets pitcher Matt Harvey and team COO Jeff Wilpon in Syracuse Tuesday to tout the agreement as an economic development victory for Central New York.
“This partnership will help attract new and old fans alike, and support economic growth in the Syracuse community for years to come,” Cuomo said. “It is a home run that ensures the Chiefs stay right where they belong while the next generation of ‘amazin’ greats is fostered right here in Central New York.”
The transaction must be approved by the Community Baseball Club of Central New York stockholders, professional baseball and Onondaga County, which holds the lease to the stadium.
Active stockholders will shortly receive a voting proxy in the mail with details on the proposed transaction and instructions on how to vote by Nov. 17, 2017.
The Syracuse Chiefs play in the International League and are currently an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Since 2013, the Las Vegas 51’s have been the Mets’ Triple-A prospect team, but that agreement is set to expire after the 2018 season ends. The cross-country flights from Vegas to Queens have caused logistical problems for the Mets who also own the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Single-A Brooklyn Cyclones.
“The Mets are excited for the potential opportunity to be part of Triple-A baseball in Central New York,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.
