Chiefs sign four-year extension with Nationals

The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to announce a four-year extension of the Player Development Contract between the team and its parent club. The working agreement between the Chiefs and Nationals now lasts through 2018.

"The rebuilding of this organization is founded on developing and nurturing partnerships," Syracuse Chiefs' President Bill Dutch said. "The Nationals have shown themselves to be a successful organization and the Chiefs are thrilled to continue the relationship with them."

Last season, the Nationals' minor-league teams had the third-highest winning percentage in baseball at .550. In every season since the Chiefs began as an affiliate with the Nationals, Washington's affiliates have finished in the top 15 of the Major League Baseball organizational standings.

"This is the first PDC that we have signed with an affiliate in excess of two years and it speaks to how much the Nationals organization values the Chiefs and the Syracuse community," said Rizzo. "In a sports-centric town like Syracuse, the Chiefs are a community pillar and we are proud to be aligned with both the town and the team."

During the affiliation, the Nationals won their first-ever National League East Championship in 2012. That season, 34 former Chiefs suited up for the Nationals. The current Washington 40-man roster includes 28 players who have previously played for Syracuse

"Since the Nationals have come to Syracuse in 2009, they've been a stabilizing force," Syracuse Chiefs general manager Jason Smorol said. "Having the Nationals for four more years strengthens our partnerships, which we believe are the foundation of this organization."

The Chiefs open the 2014 season on Thursday, April 3rd at 2 P.M. against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.