The Seattle Mariners and the Modesto Nuts announced today that the Mariners’ Low-A affiliate has been sold to Diamond Sports Group. The move comes with the more directly pertinent announcement that 2025 will be the final season for the Nuts in Modesto. The reigning California League champions will be moved to San Bernardino, CA, to functionally become the Inland Empire 66ers, though branding seems subject to some changing. The move is part of a series of changes across the California League, ongoing fallout from MLB’s consolidation of control over Minor League Baseball in recent years.
The Mariners’ Low-A affiliate will remain in the California League, which the club stated as a core priority, consolidating the M’s affiliates in the westernmost leagues possible at each level.