Nats re-sign with Harrisburg through 2020 season

The Washington Nationals officially announced today that they have signed a two-year player development contract extension to remain with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators through the 2020 season. The Nats and Senators had previously been signed up through the upcoming 2018 campaign, and this continues a 14-year relationship includes a total of 28 seasons that began with the Expos.

"Dating back nearly 30 years - the Harrisburg Senators have been a valuable component of our player development system," said president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo said in a team- issued realease. "From a baseball standpoint, City Island serves as a breeding ground for some of our organization's most talented players."

"We are thrilled to be extending our relationship with not only the Harrisburg Senators organization, but with the entire community of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania," said Nats vice president of player personnel Doug Harris said in the release. "They have shown tremendous dedication to helping groom our organization's next wave of major league talent."

Previously, the high Single-A Potomac Nationals confirmed their lease at Pfitzner Stadium through 2020. Now the club continues to concentrate on finding a new home after 2018 for their Triple-A team. This is the last season the Nats will be affiliated with the Syracuse Chiefs, as the Mets take over the rights to the club beginning in 2019.

According to Richmond.com, the Nationals must move their Triple-A team to Las Vegas for 2019, where the Mets' Triple-A team is now based, or find another available Triple-A market.

The Nationals have several connections to Las Vegas, the most important one is of their star player Bryce Harper, who grew up in the city and played baseball at the College of Southern Nevada before being drafted with the first-overall selection by the Nats in 2010.

Twenty-one teams have their Triple-A player development contracts expire after the 2018 season. From a geographic standpoint, the Oakland A's could move from Nashville, Tenn., to Las Vegas. That would provide a more geogrepahically advantageous spot for the Nats to move to in 2019.