The Chicago Cubs and Tennessee Smokies announced Wednesday a contract extension that will keep the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate in East Tennessee through the 2018 season. Jason McLeod, the Cubs Senior Vice President of Player Development and Amateur Scouting, was at Smokies Park Wednesday afternoon for the announcement of the four-year extension.
Randy Boyd, the Smokies owner and President Doug Kirchhofer and GM Brian Cox led the press conference at Smokies Park.
The Smokies have been the Double-A affiliate of the Cubs since the 2007 season. And have won a lot of ballgames over the last seven-plus seasons. According to the release, the Smokies have a 553-485 record with only one losing campaign in seven full seasons as the Cubs affiliate. The Smokies have gone to the post-season in five of the seven years and have played for a Southern League Championship three times since the 2007 season.
Randy Boyd said the Cubs have been great partners and added, “The Cubs have strong ownership and an outstanding organization. We look forward to continuing this affiliation for many years.”
The Cubs and Smokies extended the PDC for the maximum four years allowed.