BOSTON -- The Red Sox have extended their player development contracts for an additional two years through 2020 with their two closest affiliates, Triple-A Pawtucket and Class A Short Season Lowell, it was announced on Friday.
Pawtucket (R.I.) and Lowell (Mass.) are both less than an hour from Fenway Park, giving Red Sox fans a chance to keep tabs on prospects.
The partnership between the Red Sox and PawSox started in 1973, making it the second longest in all of Triple-A behind only the Kansas City Royals and the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League ('69).
"All of us in the Red Sox family are proud that this affiliation is the longest in the International League," said PawSox executive vice president/general manager Dan Rea said. "PawSox fans are Red Sox fans and Red Sox fans are PawSox fans. The PawSox organization looks forward to continuing its legacy of affordable family entertainment while preparing young stars for the bright lights of Fenway Park."
The Lowell Spinners have served as the Short Season affiliate for the Red Sox in the New York-Penn League since the team's inception in 1996.
"We are proud to extend our relationship with the Boston Red Sox, who have been an integral part of our family for the last 22 years and counting," said Spinners owner Dave Heller. "Fans throughout Red Sox Nation know Lowell as a place where many Red Sox greats have begun their professional careers, and with key additions and renovations to our ballpark over the past several years and years to come, we look forward to continuing our relationship as a member of one of the most storied franchises in all of baseball."