HOUSTON -- The Astros have broken ties with their Triple-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies, after four seasons, which clears the way for the club to pursue an agreement with the Round Rock Express, which has been the Triple-A affiliate of the Rangers the past eight years.
An announcement on the Astros' Triple-A future could be made later this week. Club officials aren't able to comment on any pending agreements, but Astros president of business operations Reid Ryan, whose family owns the Round Rock Express, said the Astros are going to "survey the market."
The Express and Astros were affiliated with each other from 2000-10, including five seasons as a Double-A team ('00-04).