Nats re-up with Single-A affiliates, leaving only Triple-A left

Though the Nationals are still seeking a new Triple-A affiliate for the 2019 season, they already know their Double-A and both Single-A affiliates are going to stay exactly as they have more than a decade.

The Nats announced new two-year extensions with both high-Single-A Potomac and low-Single-A Hagerstown on Monday, continuing their longstanding affiliations with both clubs through 2020.

Neither announcement was a surprise; the Nationals have enjoyed a strong relationship with each club for years. They've been affiliated with the Potomac Nationals since arriving in town in 2005, and they've been with the Hagerstown Suns since 2007.

"Potomac and Hagerstown are tremendous assets to our player development system," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. "Their dedication to helping develop major leaguers and their assistance in rehabbing our injured players is second to none. We are happy to be able to continue working with each respective organization."

The Nationals' Double-A affiliation with the Harrisburg Senators predates the franchise's relocation from Montreal. The two clubs have been linked together since 1991. They already announced a two-year extension through 2020 back in February, locking that deal up long before it was needed.

What, though, about the Nationals looming Triple-A decision?

Syracuse has served as the club's Triple-A affiliate since 2009, but the Mets announced last year they were purchasing the Chiefs and thus affiliating themselves with their fellow New York franchise.

Nationals officials have known for some time, then, that they would need to find a new Triple-A partnership for the 2019-20 seasons, but league rules prohibit formal negotiations outside of a short window later in September once the minor league season has ended.

Nationals executives are expected to informally tour several potential sites before the formal negotiations take place, according to a source familiar with their plans, putting them in position to make a quick deal once they are allowed later this month.

The Nationals' top choice appears to be the Nashville Sounds, whose affiliate agreement with the Athletics expires at the end of the season. The Sounds play in four-year-old First Tennessee Park, a $91 million facility that drew an average crowd this year of 8,741 (second-highest among all Triple-A franchises).

The only downside from the Nats' perspective: Nashville plays in the Pacific Coast League, which complicates last-minute roster changes compared to Syracuse, which plays in the eastern-centric International League.

Nashville could have other suiters, as well, with the A's potentially choosing to stay and the Brewers also looking for a new home because Colorado Springs is relocating to San Antonio and likely to become affiliated with the Rangers.

With the Mets leaving for Syracuse, the Las Vegas 51s are guaranteed to have a new affiliate in 2019. Another PCL franchise, the 51s will have the draw of a new ballpark that is expected to be among the nicest in the minor leagues. Travel logistics again could be a problem, but the Nationals might be willing to sacrifice that in exchange for an affiliation with Bryce Harper's hometown team.

The Fresno Grizzlies also could become available this month, assuming the Astros switch affiliation to the Round Rock Express team owned by Nolan Ryan.

The Dodgers (Oklahoma City) and Mariners (Tacoma) also have expiring Triple-A contracts at season's end but are expected to re-up with their current affiliates.