Syracuse, N.Y. -- The New York Mets could conceivably move in as the new parent team of the Syracuse Chiefs in 2018, a year earlier than expected.

But it's more likely that the Nationals will remain affiliated with the Chiefs while playing for a franchise that's owned by the Mets, a scenario that itself is very unique.

Here's how each possibility might play out.

On Tuesday, the Mets announced a deal with the Community Baseball Club of Central New York to place its Triple-A team in Syracuse starting in 2019.

The transaction must still be approved by the CBCCNY stockholders, professional baseball and Onondaga County.

Under that arrangement, the Mets would take control of the franchise in 2018 and actually field its players in Syracuse in 2019. New York is scheduled to remain affiliated with Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League this upcoming season while Washington has a season left in its player development contract with Syracuse.

But International League president Randy Mobley said if the Nationals wanted to leave Syracuse before 2018, such a move is theoretically possible.

The Syracuse team that takes the field this upcoming season is an issue between the Nationals and the CBCCNY, since those are the sides tied together in the PDC. If the Nationals want to bolt from the agreement early and Syracuse gave a thumbs up, that might open the door for the to Mets move in.

That development would require approval from Commissioner Rob Manfred's office as well as from minor league baseball. The logistics argue against it -- why would the Nationals want to move to a new city, such as Las Vegas, and then potentially pack up and head somewhere else in 2019?

Anger could be one reason. The Nationals might be miffed that the Chiefs sold the franchise out from underneath them, perhaps necessitating a move to a geographically inconvenient new city.

Wednesday, Nationals assistant general manager Doug Harris refused to comment on the Chiefs-Mets pact or whether Washington will remain in Syracuse through 2018.

When asked about the Mets playing in Syracuse in 2018 on Tuesday, New York COO Jeff Wilpon was vague.

"I've spoken to their ownership. They are in middle of the playoffs. We wish them the best in the playoffs,'' Wilpon said. "At some point we'll have a conversation. But right now, I would expect everything to stay status quo.''

Syracuse general manager Jason Smorol was equally non-committal when asked about Washington's intentions.

"Currently the Nats are here. And that's a discussion between the Nats and the Mets,'' he said. "They (the Nationals) are 100 percent committed to the playoffs right now.''

Smorol did say that the team's Hot Stove Dinner in December will feature a Mets theme and speakers as opposed to focusing on guests from the Nationals.

A more likely scenario is that the Mets take over control of the Syracuse franchise in 2018, with the Nationals still responsible for the product on the field.

Mobley said such a split is not unprecedented in minor league ball, but has never happened as far as he knew in the IL. To whatever extent the quality of play matters in the bottom line, that would make Washington a partner in helping to make money for the Mets.

Mobley said taking into consideration the distinct goals of the Nationals in developing players and Syracuse/New York in trying to turn a profit, that shouldn't be an issue.

"It really is two very separate operations,'' Mobley said. "Does it make any difference to the Nationals who they are making money for? I don't see any problems with that at all.''