Report: MiLB will agree to cut 42 affiliated teams

Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball are slated to have a conference call Wednesday, during which MiLB is expected to agree to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's proposal to cut 42 minor-league affiliates, sources told J.J. Cooper of Baseball America.

MLB apparently wants to add the Sugar Land Skeeters and the St. Paul Saints from independent ball, which would bring the new total of affiliated clubs to 120 after the other cuts.

Under this anticipated agreement, each MLB team would have four full-season affiliates.

The teams losing affiliation will not necessarily fold in the aftermath. One condition MiLB is reportedly pursuing in the agreement is that these teams will maintain some ties to MLB clubs in order to sustain independent baseball in these cities.

However, MiLB issued a statement Tuesday afternoon insisting no agreement with MLB has been reached.

"Recent articles on the negotiations between MiLB and Major League Baseball are largely inaccurate," MiLB said. "There have been no agreements on contraction or any other issues. MiLB looks forward to continuing the good faith negotiations with MLB on Wednesday as we work toward an agreement that best ensures the future of professional baseball throughout the United States and Canada."

MLB has not commented on negotiations.

The current Professional Baseball Agreement was set to expire following the 2020 season, and Manfred threatened to eliminate 42 minor-league affiliates in December after MiLB criticized MLB's handling of the negotiations.