ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals announced Monday that they have agreed to a new two-year player development contract with the State College (Pa.) Spikes of the short-season Class A New York-Penn League.
The new deal reunites two teams that shared affiliation in 2006 -- the Spikes inaugural season. The Cardinals' affiliate in the NewYork-Penn League had been at Batavia (N.Y.).
"As part of our player-development model, we are always striving to improve the overall training and development environment for our players, and Medlar Field and the State College ballclub offer us a first-class experience at all levels," Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said in a prepared statement. "We look forward to our renewed relationship with the State College Spikes."
State College has been an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. There was tension between the Spikes and the Pirates last season, with the Spikes claiming they weren't given enough quality players to field a competitive team.
The Pirates and Spikes reportedly were in negotiations over the weekend to sign a contract extension, but the deal came apart when the Pirates proposed a four-year deal. The Spikes wanted two years.
Pittsburgh could possibly become affiliated with the Jamestown (N.Y.), Jammers, also of the New York-Penn League.
Cardinals Farm Director John Vuch said in a statement: "We are pleased to have reached agreement with the State College team and renew our relationship with an organization that we shared affiliation with in 2006. The Spikes have a terrific facility at Medlar Field, and I know their management team is just as excited as we are to be partnered once again."
The Cardinals major-league roster has two players who were with State College in 2006: slugging first baseman Allen Craig and closer Jason Motte.
