DALLAS — The Mets have sold two of their affiliates to a holdings company that already owns another one of their minor league teams.
The team announced Tuesday at the winter meetings the sale of the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and Triple-A Syracuse Mets to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), a group that already owns the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. DBH, a sports management company formed in 2021 when MLB contracted several MiLB teams and realigned others, owns and operates several minor league teams around the country.
The Cyclones and Syracuse Mets will remain affiliates of the big league club. The front office staff of each club will be retained. This sale is not related to any free agency moves, according to a source. The agreement between DBH and Cohen Private Ventures had been in the works for some time.
“We are excited to grow our relationship with DBH as they work to finalize this sale,” Mets vice president of player development Andy Green said in a statement. “Our affiliates provide valuable steppingstones for our players in these communities, but also family-friendly experiences for our fans in those cities. As we’ve seen in Binghamton, DBH will strengthen our affiliates from a baseball and fan perspective.”
The Cyclones will continue to play at Maimonides Park, a popular minor league facility on the Coney Island Boardwalk. The Syracuse Mets will continue to play at NBT Stadium. The Mets purchased the Triple-A club and the ballpark in 2018 after their contract with the Las Vegas team expired. It’s been beneficial to have their primary big league feeder team on the same coast, limiting long flights and travel expenses for developing talent.
DBH works directly with MLB to help minor league teams drive revenue through sponsorship, merchandising and other avenues.
“The New York Mets are deeply grateful to the staff and players of the Syracuse Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones. These franchises have created two of the best fan-bases in Minor League Baseball and we are excited to continue our affiliation with these cities,” Mets president of business operations M. Scott Havens said. “With their acquisition by DBH, both clubs will have greater dedicated resources and player development tools to set them up for successful seasons for years to come.”