Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs have accepted the invitation from Major League Baseball and the Boston Red Sox to join Major League Baseball’s new player development structure by signing a Professional Development License (PDL). The ten-year agreement will keep the Red Sox affiliation in Portland at least through the 2030 season.
The Sea Dogs will serve as Boston’s Double-A affiliate and will play in the Northeast League. The Northeast League will be comprised of two divisions. The Northeast Division will include the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets), Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies), New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays), Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox), Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies), and Somerset Patriots (Yankees). The Southwest Division will include the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland), Altoona Curve (Pirates), Bowie Baysox (Orioles), Erie SeaWolves (Tigers), Harrisburg Senators (Nationals), and Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants).
“We are thrilled to have this new long-term affiliation agreement in place and look forward to continuing our tradition of being the Double-A home of so many future Red Sox stars,” stated Sea Dogs’ Chairman Bill Burke.
Sea Dogs’ Treasurer Sally McNamara said, “We can’t wait to host fans again at Hadlock soon, and we thank the Red Sox for continuing to place their trust in us. This affiliation agreement, along with our new relationship with Major League Baseball, means that the future of baseball in Portland is very bright."
The new Major League Baseball player development structure will provide the Sea Dogs with access to MLB’s partnerships, tools, technology, and content which will help the Sea Dogs enhance the fan experience, provide more resources, and improve player development.
Players will benefit from increased compensation, a better lifestyle, and a more holistic approach to player development that incorporates wellness, nutrition, reduced travel times, a focus on nutrition, and access to best practices from around baseball. Minor League players will train every day in new/improved/world-class facilities suited for their professional development.
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors, but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities. In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field. We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”
Sea Dogs President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa said, “This is an incredibly exciting day for our team. We are very proud to be a part of the Boston Red Sox system and continue to do what we do best – create a best-in-class fan experience, develop big league ballplayers, grow our business and support our community. Our fans can rest assured that the future of baseball in Portland is strong.”
The 2021 season will mark the 19th year of the Red Sox’ and Sea Dogs’ partnership. Since becoming affiliated in 2003, Portland has advanced to the playoffs five times, celebrated a pair of division titles in 2005 and 2014, and captured the first Eastern League championship in franchise history in 2006. The Sea Dogs play their home games at Portland’s Hadlock Field, which features a likeness of Fenway Park’s famed Green Monster.
Over 100 Sea Dogs players have gone to play for the Red Sox including current stars Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Christian Vazquez. Former Sea Dogs contributed to the Red Sox four World Series Championships in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. The Red Sox current 40-man roster features 13 former Sea Dogs.
Portland joins the Worcester Red Sox (AAA), Greenville Drive (A Adv.), and Salem Red Sox (A) as Boston Red Sox minor league affiliates under the new MLB player development structure.
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