Travelers extend player development contract with Mariners through 2020

North Little Rock — The Arkansas Travelers and Seattle Mariners announced on Friday the extension of their player development contract to have the Travelers serve as the Double-A club for the Mariners.

The player development contract, which would have expired at the end of the current season, has been extended for two years to cover the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

“We are extremely pleased to extend our Player Development Contract with the Seattle Mariners for two seasons through 2020,” said Travelers President Russ Meeks. “The Mariners are a first class organization with wonderful leadership. Jerry Dipoto and Andy McKay have ensured we have a quality product on the field and outstanding people off the field and in the community.”

The Travelers won the Texas League North division’s first half division title this season for the first time in seven years. As the champions of the first half, Arkansas will host the opening two games of the division series of the playoffs on Sept. 5-6 at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. The opponent will be the second half champion or the team in the division with the next best overall record.

“The Mariners are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Arkansas Travelers,” said Jerry Dipoto, executive vice president and general manager of the Mariners. “Our development programs are built around people, process and community, all of which are plentiful with both the Travs and the loyal fans in Little Rock.

“We are thankful to have the Travelers as a member of our family and will remain committed to producing good baseball and an entertaining ballpark experience.”

The Travelers have been affiliated with the Seattle Mariners for the past two seasons, with five different players being called directly to Seattle from Arkansas in that time. Seattle has sent 10 players to the Travelers to play on major league rehab assignments.

“The Mariners are excited to be able to extend our relationship with the Travelers,” said Andy McKay, Seatt’e director of player development. “The Mariners have a commitment to a strong minor league system, and value the best possible environment for our prospects to develop. We have that environment with the Arkansas Travelers and look forward to making it even better.”

Arkansas has had three MLB affiliates since joining the Texas League in 1966. The affiliation with the Mariners since the start of the 2017 season was preceded by partnerships with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2001-16 and the St. Louis Cardinals from 1966-2000.