Lookouts Announce New Affiliation With Minnesota Twins

Chattanooga-(WDEF) When the Dodgers pulled the plug on their six year relationship with the Chattanooga Lookouts earlier this week, it didn’t take the Lookouts long to find a new Double-A partner.

They’ve hooked up with the Minnesota Twins, marking the first time the Lookouts have been affiliated with an American League club since 1987.

Said Lookouts General Manager Rich Mozingo,"We have signed a four year player development agreement with the Minnesota Twins for them to bring their Double-A affiliate to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and we could not be more pleased about that."

   The Twins brass flew into Chattanooga last night, and by this morning, the deal was sealed for the Lookouts to be the Twins new Double-A affiliate.

Said Twins director of Minor League Operations Brad Steil,"Just seeing the city today, you can see that it’s a nice place to live. I think the housing will be affordable for our players and the cost of living."

  The Twins had partnered for years with New Britain of the Eastern League.

Reporter-"What’s the difference between the Southern League and Eastern League that was attractive?"

Said Steil,"Well I think for us the travel and the schedule were the big things and the weather."

   Lookouts GM Rich Mozingo doesn’t believe changing affiliates from the Dodgers to the Twins will have a noticeable impact.

"But I think for the most part what people are doing is they want to come see a great level of baseball, and they want to see it at a reasonable price and a good entertainment value."

  Baseball Prospectus claims the Twins have the best farm system in baseball.

And MLB.com says the Twins have the top prospect in the minors in outfielder Byron Buxton.

Said Steil,"We haven’t won enough games in the big leagues the last few years. We’re trying to turn that around by developing our own players. I think the rankings are maybe indicative of the direction we are headed in."

   Since the Lookouts are switching affiliates, their uniforms next season will reflect that.

Said Mozingo,"There will absolutely be something on our uniforms from the organization definitely to let people know that we are a Twins organization. At this point, I just don’t know exactly what that’s going to be."