Major League Baseball and Commissioner Rob Manfred have moved forward with their “One Baseball” plan, downsizing the affiliated minor leagues while forming partnerships with former independent leagues in an effort to produce more cost-effective player development relationships.
In the Chicago area, the impact will be felt in many ways and comes after a 2020 season that was canceled or severely curtailed in most leagues by the coronavirus pandemic.
The most drastic change comes for the Kane County Cougars, who are among the teams to lose affiliated status as MLB cut down from 162 to 120 affiliated minor league clubs.