Kane County Cougars Could Become Cubs Single-A Farm Team

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 21, 2012 8:40PM

Multiple media outlets are reporting the Cubs are close to ending their current player development deal with the Peoria Chiefs and moving their Class A baseball prospects to the Kane County Cougars next season.

If this happens it those prospects would be playing 35 miles from Chicago but end a relationship with Peoria that dates back nearly 30 years that has encompassed 19 of the Chiefs' 30 years. (The Chiefs were the Cubs Single A club from 1985-1995 and from 2005 through this season.)

Notable Peoria Chiefs alumni include Greg Maddux and Mark Grace. Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg also began his managerial career in Peoria in an attempt to break into the majors as a manager.

The Kane County Cougars have been affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins and Baltimore Orioles over the years. During their affiliation with the Marlins the Cougars helped launch the careers of pitchers Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett.

Now Cubs fans will have the choice of seeing minor league ball in Geneva or Wrigley Field next season.