BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bisons will remain the Toronto Blue Jays' top minor-league affiliate after accepting Major League Baseball’s invitation to be a member of its new Professional Development League System.
The Bisons signed a 10-year player development licence agreement with MLB on Friday and will compete in a new 20-team league temporarily called Triple-A East that takes over for the former International League. It is one of two triple-A leagues.
The Bisons are entering their ninth year as a partner of the Blue Jays.
MLB revamped its minor-league system this off-season, reducing the number of teams.
Buffalo's Sahlen Field served as home of the Blue Jays for the 2020 season because of COVID-19 border restrictions.
The Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays' lone Canadian affiliate, are in the six-team High A West.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2020.
The Canadian Press