Spinners, Red Sox extend affiliation pact

BOSTON, Mass. -- The Boston Red Sox and Lowell Spinners today announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional two years. The extension keeps the Red Sox's New York-Penn League Short-Season Single-A affiliate in Lowell through the 2016 season.

Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Crockett and Spinners Owner Drew Weber and President/General Manager Tim Bawmann made the announcement.

"Drew Weber, Tim Bawmann, and the entire Lowell Spinners organization provide an excellent introduction to the Red Sox and professional baseball for our Minor League players," said Crockett. "We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the Spinners and the City of Lowell into its 20th season and beyond."

The Red Sox originally entered into an agreement with the Spinners when the franchise moved from Elmira, New York to Lowell prior to the 1996 season. In 1998, the team moved to the new Edward A. LeLacheur Park. The PDC was last extended for two years through the 2014 season in January 2012.

"Affiliations are true partnerships and there is no better partner to have than the Boston Red Sox," said Bawmann. "We are very excited to continue our partnership and continue to work with the outstanding staff from the ownership group to the highly talented baseball operations staff. We look forward to seeing the next wave of Red Sox stars here in Lowell."

Former Spinners currently with the Red Sox include Mookie Betts, Clay Buchholz, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Garin Cecchini and Christian Vazquez.

Lowell is one of Boston's six domestic Minor League affiliates, joining Triple-A Pawtucket (International League), Double-A Portland (Eastern League), High-A Salem (Carolina League), Single-A Greenville (South Atlantic League) and Rookie Gulf Coast Red Sox (Gulf Coast League).