Tigers, 'Wolves reach deal
By Ron Leonardi
ron.leonardi@....

The Erie SeaWolves have reached agreement with the Detroit Tigers on a
two-year player-development contract extension through the 2008 season.

SeaWolves general manager John Frey said the Tigers first expressed an
interest in continuing their player-development ties with their
Eastern League Double-A affiliate in early August.

"We had another year left on our (current) contract and since the
Tigers were expressing interest in extending it, instead of waiting to
do it next year, it seemed to make sense to get it done now," Frey
said. "We've had a good relationship with the Tigers and, despite what
happened to us this past season, they had success throughout their
minor league system."

Frey said the player-development contract extension "creates some
stability and that's what we need right now."

"It's nice for everybody to know, and we want to tell people that
there is no immediate plan to move this franchise," Frey said. "We're
not leaving town. This contract is not tied to our lease, but when we
get to the lease portion and get that done, we'll have an extension on
that as well."

Lease negotiations are ongoing between Los Angeles-based Mandalay
Baseball Properties, which owns the SeaWolves, and the Erie County
Convention Center Authority.

Mandalay's lease agreement with the Convention Center Authority to
field a Class AA franchise in Erie expired at the end of the 2005
season. Terms of the lease call for an option to renew for three years.

"We believe the SeaWolves will be here for a couple more years and our
goal is to get them to remain here as long as possible," said Casey
Wells, the Convention Center Authority's managing director.
"Discussions are ongoing and I'm optimistic we'll be able to make a
positive announcement with the lease in the next week or so."

Since purchasing the SeaWolves in July 2003, Mandalay officials have
sought increased attendance, facility upgrades and economic
development opportunities around Jerry Uht Park.

Erie County Council is reviewing whether $4 million in proposed
improvements to Jerry Uht Park will be included in a proposed $34
million bond measure.

RON LEONARDI can be reached at 870-1680 or by e-mail.