The Detroit Tigers avoided major changes in their farm system, as expected.
On Wednesday, the Tigers announced the four teams receiving invitations to join the organization's minor leagues moving forward: Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, Double-A Erie SeaWolves, High-A West Michigan Whitecaps (previously Low-A) and the Low-A Lakeland Flying Tigers (previously High-A).
The Tigers are losing their Short-Season A affiliate in Norwich, Connecticut, dropping them from nine to eight teams in the minors.
The decisions were part of MLB's reorganization and consolidation of the minor leagues. Erie was once at risk of losing its affiliation, but a $12 million grant from the state government to upgrade UMPC Park allowed them to remain the Tigers' Double-A affiliate.