Mariners Extend High Desert Through 2012

Earlier today it was announced that that Seattle extended High Desert's player development contract through 2012. It was one of four remaining Cal League PDC's still set to expire after this season.

High Desert has been Seattle's Cal League affiliate since 2007. Before the Mariners picked them up, the Mavericks have been affiliated with six different parent clubs since the franchise started in 1988 in Riverside. By the time this extension ends, Seattle will be the team High Desert has been affiliated with the longest in franchise history. In the four seasons these two have teamed up, the Mavericks are 270-290. They've made the postseason in two straight years, losing in the league championship to San Jose last year and Rancho Cucamonga in the first round this season.

Three Mavericks have reached the majors since their partnership with Seattle began. This number doesn't seem very good, but since they've only been together since 2007, and their players need time to develop. Those players are catcher Adam Moore, outfielder Michael Sanders and reliever Shawn Kelley. The Mariners are hoping these young players can be part of a core for the future, but they all have some work to do to prove they can stick in the majors. With a renewed focus on homegrown talent and player development, more future Mariners should be passing through High Desert.

"The relationship we have developed with the High Desert organization has been a very positive one for all those involved," said Pedro Grifol, Mariners Director of Player Development. "Our players will continue to be in an environment where they can succeed personally and collectively."

It's somewhat surprising that this extension was taken care of so soon. It's no secret that the High Desert franchise is kind of in limbo right now. The ownership situation has been cloudy for a couple years now, but as I mentioned a couple weeks ago, they're apparently close to finding an owner. Even if they successfully sell the team, there are still questions about whether or not they'll remain in Adelanto. The stadium isn't great, and fan support has been dwindling in recent years. Like the article said, they'll be in Adelanto for now, but for how long? It's definitely possible this team is playing somewhere else soon. There was some speculation that Seattle would try to get back together with Inland Empire, but perhaps they found out that it wasn't very likely.

Now that High Desert is out of play, there are three teams left whose PDC's are set to expire after this year: Bakersfield, Inland Empire and Rancho Cucamonga. At this point, I believe Texas will be leaving Bakersfield and hooking up with Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League. The Los Angeles area parent clubs will split Inland Empire and Rancho Cucamonga.