Wichita is in talks with the New Orleans Baby Cakes franchise, an affiliate of the Miami Marlins, to be Wichita’s new Triple-A team, several sources said Wednesday.
The deal is close to being finalized but is not yet done, sources say.
Mayor Jeff Longwell plans a baseball announcement of some sort at his regular Thursday briefing.
Longwell didn’t return a call for comment, nor did Augusto “Cookie” Rojas, the Baby Cakes senior vice president and general manager.
The Wichita Wingnuts, an independent baseball franchise, played its final game on Monday.
The city plans to tear down the 84-year-old Lawrence-Dumont Stadium downtown and build a new stadium that would accommodate baseball and other activities, possibly soccer.
The city has been working to lure a team that is affiliated with a Major League franchise. Financing for the Wichita project is expected to come from setting aside future sales and property taxes on commercial development expected to occur around the new stadium.
Wichita is planning to combine the stadium with significant retail, restaurant and drinking opportunities to create a more comprehensive entertainment experience that officials hope will attract patrons beyond the core baseball fans.
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)