The financial divide that has progressively distanced the Orioles from the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox might begin closing this offseason.
With the addition of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, the Orioles now join their American League East rivals as clubs with a revenue-generating regional sports network.
“We do think that it will have an immediate impact. How much? I can?t say at this point,” Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan said. “We?re working under the premise that we are going to have some money to spend. And we have some holes to fill, and we?re going to try to fill them.”
Flanagan and fellow vice president Jim Duquette told The Examiner last week of the organization?s intent to spend. The creation of MASN will no doubt help, but the specific extent of its immediate impact is unknown.
“We?ll know more about it in the next couple of weeks,” Flanagan said.
The Orioles are going through organizational meetings this week to determine the fate of players currently on the roster.
“I think it?s great for the Orioles organization for now and for years to come,” Flanagan said.
TRIPLE-A ON THE MOVE?
Rumors have been swirling since early this season about the future of the Orioles? Triple-A affiliate, the Ottawa Lynx.
With the minor league regular season complete, and the major league schedule in its final stretch, the Orioles are looking at potential suitors to replace Ottawa, the franchise?s top farm club since 2003. However, remaining in Ottawa is not out of the question.
“The re-affiliation process is taking place where it?s not likely that we?ll be there, but there?s always a chance,” Duquette said. “You never know. We?ve tried to re-affiliate in the past, and we always end up there.”
Potential homes for the Triple-A team include a handful of Pennsylvania cities ? namely Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the home of Philadelphia?s Triple-A team, who may drop their affiliation after this season. Columbus (Ohio) became available this month when the Yankees announced their intention to move.
“I think from our standpoint, we?re looking for proximity as a main factor,” Duquette said.
Of the Orioles? five other minor league affiliates, four are in Maryland and one is in West Virginia.
“We?ll have a little bit better idea in the next couple of days where we can shop,” Duquette said.
