In the first of what will be several negotiations with affiliates, it looks as though the Astros and NYPL's Tri-City ValleyCats will sign a 2-year professional development contract through 2014.
Luhnow:
“We’ve had a great relationship with the ValleyCats. We like this facility (Joe Bruno Stadium), we like this area and we like this league, so there are a lot of (reasons) to keep our team here.”
Director of Player Personnel Fred Nelson spoke about the health of the farm system:
"Probably the thing that struck me the most is just the overall lack of depth, which is a sign of a weak farm system and I think with all the trades of the past three years, and plus the (past two) drafts (things improved)."
Astros affiliates with expiring contracts at the end of 2012 include Oklahoma City, Lancaster, and Lexington - all of whom Baseball America projected could see changes.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
