Even though it appears that the New York Mets will sign an affiliation agreement with the Buffalo Bisons shortly, Syracuse.com reports the Syracuse Chiefs stockholders are now willing to sell part of the club to the Metropolitans in an effort to change the Mets mind to come to Syracuse instead. Even though a Toronto-Buffalo affiliation looks like a pipe dream at this point, is there a tiny sliver of hope it could still happen?
A column by Bud Poliquin of the Syracuse Post-Standard also talks about the Chiefs pitch to the Mets, indicating that former Blue Jay and current Met Carlos Delgado was among those approached by Chiefs management to try to convince the Mets to go to Syracuse. There's also a blog from Syracuse.com blogger and sports radio personality Brent Axe that contains a transcript and audio interview with Syracuse General Manager John Simone, the perceived villain for baseball in the Salt City as the Chiefs have a less than sterling reputation in baseball circles when it comes to managing its affairs.
Should the Mets join forces with Buffalo, it's believed Syracuse will be left with either Washington, Florida or even Milwaukee as there have been rumours the Brewers could ask to get out of their affiliation with Nashville. There is still a chance the Jays could return to Syracuse and as I suggested in a previous thread, I think the best way for it to happen would be for Uncle Ted to pay for a new scoreboard at Alliance Bank Stadium because the hamsters for the old scoreboard are doing a fine job impersonating the Monty Python parrot. I'm sure the Jays thought they had Buffalo in the bag but they can't be thrilled about the possibility of having their AAA affiliate in New Orleans, Las Vegas or Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (I made the last one up but I was rolling!). Otherwise, the Jays may need one fast jet plane to bring in any callups for at least the next two seasons.
