The Toronto Blue Jays are keeping things close to home with their new triple-A affiliate.
The Blue Jays have signed a two-year player development contract with the International League's Buffalo Bisons, commencing at the start of next season.
The deal comes at the end of Toronto's four-year relationship with the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League. Buffalo is 87 kilometres from Toronto through the air or about 165 kilometres - less than a two-hour drive - on the ground.
Las Vegas is about 2,370 kilometres away and a four-and-half-hour flight.
"This relationship is a natural fit, both geographically and philosophically," Blue Jays president and chief executive officer Paul Beeston said in a statement.
"Simply put, we are fortunate they have agreed to align with our program and we thank them for the confidence they have shown in us."
The Bisons are the third triple-A affiliate the Toronto Blue Jays have had. Other than the 51s, who have signed on to become the triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, the Jays had a 31-year relationship with Syracuse of the International League.
