Spinners’ ties with Red Sox hang by a thread

Since the Lowell Spinners’ short-term fate had long been sealed, this week’s formal announcement that it won’t be a Red Sox affiliate franchise in 2021 simply formalized that done deal.

The new operating model forced on minor league baseball by Major League Baseball ownership mandated that the 30 major league teams cut costs by reducing their affiliates to four. That leaves Worcester ( Triple A), Portland, Maine (Double A) and Red Sox’ Single A Carolina League teams in Salem, Va., and Greenville, S.C., as Boston’s four minor league clubs.

Reportedly the controlling interest that Fenway Sports Group, the Red Sox parent company, wields over the Salem franchise played the deciding role in maintaining that relationship for at least another season.

The question that Spinners owner Dave Heller, Lowell city officials and the region in general now want clarified concerns what plans — if any — the Red Sox have for Lowell in 2021 and beyond.

Public statements by Red Sox’ management have given Spinners’ stakeholders some reason for hope.

“For over a year, we have worked with Congresswoman (Lori) Trahan, Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue, Major League Baseball, and Lowell Spinners ownership to examine every option that would keep baseball in the City of Lowell,” Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy disclosed earlier this week.

One idea floated would have the Spinners compete next season as an independent team in Major League Baseball’s proposed new “Draft League,” designed to showcase top college prospects.

MLB previously announced that the Appalachian League has agreed to compete in this summer wood-bat circuit, and it reportedly wants NY-Penn League clubs to follow suit.

However, that arrangement would be with Prep Baseball Report, a national showcase and scouting service that would organize and operate the league.

Massachusetts already hosts the Cape Cod League, a longtime, successful summer league for top collegiate players. We don’t see this wood-bat league as the right fit or draw for the Spinners,

It would seem that the Spinners’ best bet to remain under the Red Sox umbrella would be to supplant one of the two Single A franchises.

which plays in a 5,000-seat ballpark.

There’s also the possibility that coronavirus concerns could compel all of minor league baseball to take another hiatus, pushing its return to the 2022 season.

So, what occurs in 2022 will likely determine whether the Spinners will have any future in the Red Sox organization.

It would seem that the Spinners’ best bet to remain under the Red Sox umbrella would be to supplant one of the two Single A franchises.

Lowell and Salem, Va., share many similarities, with one dramatic exception – distance from Fenway Park, with the Spinners being about 600 miles closer.

They both play in roughly the same size ballparks, and both have averaged about 3,000 fans per game over the past several seasons.

However, Salem does have an ownership relation with Boston and a functioning Single A league in which to play.

Assuming a satisfactory league association could be found, what else would it take for the Red Sox to renew ties with the Spinners?

Would ownership want an interest in the Spinners, or a controlling stake? Would that entail owner Dave Heller’s exit, after the considerable capital he and the city of Lowell have invested in LeLacheur Park?

In the end, despite all the grass-roots and congressional support the Spinners have engendered, it always comes down to the bottom line.

Does it make dollars and sense for the Red Sox to keep the Spinners in the fold?

We can only hope that difficult decision hasn’t already been made.