Chicago Cubs Rumors: MiLB could potentially lose 25% of its teams

According to a report, Minor League Baseball could lose a quarter of its teams under terms of a deal with MLB. How would the Chicago Cubs be impacted?

It’s been a whirlwind of a day, despite the fact there’s no professional baseball being played. Around midday Tuesday, Baseball America dropped a bombshell report, indicating Minor League Baseball is ready to accept Major League Baseball’s proposed contraction plan, which would reduce the number of MiLB teams from 160 to 120, a 25 percent reduction.

Immediately, Chicago Cubs fans – and fans of baseball, as a whole – had some intense reactions. A lot of people who either cannot go to Wrigley Field because it’s either geographically or financially difficult rely on their intimate relationships with their local MiLB affiliates.

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No one knows how exactly this would  impact each of the 30 big league organizations. Granted, it means each would have just four affiliates moving forward, but exactly what that would look like remains to be seen.

But shortly after Baseball America broke this news, Minor League Baseball issued a statement, contradicting the news and suggesting negotiations are ongoing between MiLB and Major League Baseball.

“Recent articles on the negotiations between MiLB and Major League Baseball (MLB) are largely inaccurate. There have been no agreements on contraction or any other issues. MiLB looks forward to continuing the good faith negotiations with MLB tomorrow as we work toward an agreement that best ensures the future of professional baseball throughout the United States and Canada.”

This story and the ramifications have the potential to reshape baseball on a national scale. Eliminating MiLB organizations would mean less opportunities for players and fans alike. At a time when costs to attend and even support big league clubs continue to rise, it’s hard to envision this doing much to boost interest in baseball.

Thinking about it this afternoon, I’d imagine it would be the short season or Rookie ball affiliates on the chopping block. It’s hard to envision Triple, Double or Single-A clubs going away, especially given the fan interest in seeing their favorite players on rehab assignments and the like.

We’ll keep you posted as the story develops. But it’s one that fans of the game, in general, should take note of because there’s more than one might initially think.