Cincinnati finalizes 10-year settlement with Louisville Bats

The Cincinnati Reds and Louisville Bats came to an agreement yesterday This will ensure that the two companies will stay together for the foreseeable future. The bats officially accepted the Reds’ invitation to become the team’s Triple A partner.

The reds and bats have been together since 2000. After being affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1997) and Milwaukee Brewers (1998-1999), Louisville formed a partnership that featured some of the best talent in the US Cincinnati organization pass the Derby City on the Cincinnati organization Way to the big leagues.

The Reds and Bats signed a 10-year contract.

Earlier this winter, the Cincinnati Reds made the Louisville Bats an offer to become the team’s Triple A partner again. This time around, however, the agreement is very different as Major League Baseball has completely overhauled the minor league system.

In the 2021 season, minor league baseball will only have four classifications. Triple-A, Double-A, Advanced-A and Class-A. For the reds, the only change is a change in name. The Dayton Dragons have been promoted to Advanced-A and the Daytona Tortugas will now serve as the team’s Class-A partners.

The Louisville Bats will be part of the Triple-A East and play in the Midwest Division. Other teams in the division include the Columbus Clippers, Indianapolis Indians, Iowa Cubs, St. Paul Saints, Omaha Storm Chasers, and Toledo Mud Hens.

Four of the seven teams in the division are affiliated with NL Central. Only the St. Louis Cardinals’ triple-A daughter, the Memphis Redbirds, play outside of the Midwest Division. NL Central affiliates include the Minnesota Twins (Saints). Detroit Tigers (Mud Hens) and Royals (Storm Chasers).

Which Reds players are traveling to Louisville?

There are a handful of players currently on the Cincinnati Reds roster and likely eligible for the Louisville Bats for the 2021 season. Among them are Jonathan India, Nick Lodolo, José García and Ryan Hendrix.

The convenience of having the team’s Triple A partner 90 minutes before I-71 is a huge benefit and will remain in effect through 2030. The Louisville Bats will play baseball in 2021 after losing a full season to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The Bats I hope the fans are back in the stands at Louisville Slugger Field this year.