A Healthy Relationship

From Anthony Coleman (Trenton Times):

The Thunder have given the Yankees quite a bit.

Their minor league players play in front crowds that have totaled 400,000 each of the six summers the Yankees have called the capital region home. The team gets enough media attention in prepar ing players for life in the Bronx. In addition, the Thunder ownership is pledging improvements to Mercer County Waterfront Park to make the presentation even more first class.

In return, the Yankees have provided Trenton with two Eastern League championships.

So why wouldn’t the partnership continue?

The Thunder announced yesterday that they are calling a press conference for 1 p.m. tomorrow in the Yankee Club and Conference Center at the ballpark to “announce the details concerning the future of the Trenton Thunder and New York Yankee affiliation.” In other words, the long-awaited player development contract (PDC) is finally completed. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is expected to be in attendance.

Per Major League Baseball rules, the PDC can be extended for two or four years. The last time the two organizations extended the PDC, they did so for just two years. The Thunder will become the seventh EL team to re-up with its parent club this season.

Good to know (and a no doubter). In case you were wondering, the Yankees and the Trenton Thunder signed an extension back in 2005 which allowed their PDC to expire after the 2008 season (instead of after the 2006 season). Also, if you’re interested in the Trenton Thunder (I’m talking extensive coverage), make sure to check out Mike Ashmore’s Thunder Thoughts.