River Cats eyeing Giants affiliation

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Cleveland -- - The A's have enjoyed a terrific relationship with the Sacramento River Cats ever since the Triple-A club moved to California's capital in 2000. Among other things, the River Cats have won seven Pacific Coast League titles in that span, and they led minor-league baseball in attendance for eight years.

Despite all that, Sacramento is looking to change affiliates, sources with both teams told The Chronicle - and River Cats ownership is particularly interested in switching to the Giants, sources said.

The A's affiliate agreement with Sacramento is up after this season, as is the Giants' with Triple-A Fresno.

This would be a blow to the A's, who can call up players from their top affiliate with two hours' notice if both teams are at home. Sacramento also has one of the best stadiums in the minors and is considered to be one of the better cities to play in, a selling point for minor-league free agents.

One source said it's possible that River Cats CEO Susan Savage is "trying to play hardball" with the A's but added that it's unlikely Oakland would knuckle under to pressure from an affiliate. A's officials spoke to Sacramento about extending their agreement and were told that the River Cats would wait to see how the season went.

It's possible the River Cats would just prefer to have the Giants - a more popular club in terms of big-league attendance and Northern California TV ratings - as their big-league partner.

"If they want the Giants and the Giants want to go there," a minor-league source said, "there is nothing the A's can do about it."

Considering the Giants are blocking the A's proposed move to San Jose, it would sting even more for the A's.

"No San Jose and no Sacramento?" a major-league source said. "That's really sticking it to the A's."

Savage did not respond to e-mail or voice-mail messages, and A's officials were unavailable for comment.

Should the Giants jump to Sacramento, the A's probably would try to gain Fresno as their Triple-A affiliate.

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