The Buffalo Bisons today officially announced their new affiliation arrangement with the Toronto Blue Jays. The teams have agreed to a two-year player development contract, beginning with the 2013 season.
The Herd has served as the AAA farm team for the New York Mets for the last four years. Toronto's farm team was in Las Vegas, which is the Mets' new affiliate.
Team owner Bob Rich, Jr. says the partnership makes sense regionally and allows the Bisons to benefit from a wealth of talent in the Toronto development system, which is considered among the best in baseball.
"Aligning with the Blue Jays not only gives the Bisons a great regional partner, but also aligns us with one of the top minor league systems in all of baseball," Rich said in a statement. "Toronto has a well-documented commitment to developing exciting young talent throughout their farm system."
Jays President Paul Beeston calls it the new partnership a "natural fit, both geographically and philosophically."
A formal introductory news conference with officials from both teams will be held Friday afternoon at Coca Cola Field.