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The Washington Nationals announced the signing of a four-year "Player Development Contract" extension with the Triple-A International League's Syracuse Chiefs this afternoon continuing a relationship that began in 2008.
The extension covers the 2015-2018 seasons according to a press release from the Nats:
RT @syracusechiefs: The #Chiefs & Nationals are proud to announce they've extended their agreement for another 4 yrs. pic.twitter.com/CRCymLYfc9
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) December 18, 2013
Nationals' GM and President of Baseball Operations, Mike Rizzo, was quoted on Twitter explaining that it's the first four-year agreement they've signed, which he says is a sign that the Nats value their relationship with the Chiefs:
#Nats Pres. of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo: "This is the first PDC we've signed with an affiliate in excess of two years... (continued)
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) December 18, 2013
#Nats Pres. of Baseball Ops Mike Rizzo continued: "... and it speaks to how much the Nationals value the Chiefs & the Syracuse community."
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) December 18, 2013
In the press release from the Nationals today, the General Manager spoke more about the relationship with Washington's top minor league affiliate:
"'This is the first PDC that we have signed with an affiliate in excess of two years and it speaks to how much the Nationals organization values the Chiefs and the Syracuse community,' said Rizzo. 'In a sports-centric town like Syracuse, the Chiefs are a community pillar and we are proud to be aligned with both the town and the team.'"
Upon relocating to the nation's capital in 2004-2005, the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate for the first two years in Washington was the New Orleans Zephyrs. In 2007 and 2008, it was the Columbus Clippers.
The Nationals and Chiefs began working together in 2009, with Syracuse 354-361 since the beginning of their affiliation with Washington.
