The Atlanta Braves are apparently looking to move their AAA affiliate (Times-Dispatch), the Richmond Braves, to Georgia in 2009. The R-Braves have been owned and operated by their parent club since 1966.
Just by coincidence, the Nationals affiliation with Columbus, who is looking to get together with the Indians or Reds, comes to an end after this season. However, in order for the Nats to get their AAA affiliate in Virginia’s capital, they’d need someone to move a team there. Right now the Braves are not happy with Richmond’s ballpark, The Diamond and may just be using threats to move as a ploy to improve that park.
I don’t think we can get our hopes up that Richmond will be the Nats AAA home — yet. Since the Nats are not very good about multi-tasking (“we’re focusing on the new ballpark!”) it may be a few years before something works out. Hopefully it will because having the AAA affiliate 100 miles away makes a whole lot of sense.