Newark Bears in the Can Am League

[Zeyes]

I don't see such a model working anyway. It works for MLB and the affiliated minors because there's a large degree of stability - how are you possibly going to handle it in indy ball with franchises popping up and going under on a yearly basis?

Well, short of making the entire lower league accessible to everyone in the higher one, similar to the agreement that exists between MLB and indy ball where any MLB club can purchase contracts from any independent club. I think that would essentially reduce the lower-level league to the status of the New York State League (which itself is kinda an indy version of the Arizona and Gulf Coast complex leagues).

[GoCyclones!]

Well, I think it could work as guys could play in the Can-Am and then get more experience and move up to the Atlantic League. I don't know the exact rules but isn't there a limit on the length of time a player can play in the Can-Am? I think it could overall make the leagues more competitive, if there was somebody that could take their spots. And there were some former Major Leaguers released that could be sent to the Can-Am. Maybe an undrafted free agent could play in the New York State League, then move up to the Can-Am and after a year or two play in the Atlantic League too. If we are guys that are independent, would it really matter if they are moving up or down?

How about a straight-up merger?