What has been rumored for more than a year became official late Thursday afternoon: The

Cleveland Indians are switching their Triple-A affiliate from Buffalo to Columbus, Ohio. The

Tribe signed a four-year player development contract through the 2012 season and the deal will

be announced during a press conference Friday afternoon in Huntington Park, the new Columbus

stadium opening next April.

In a statement, Indians president Paul Dolan lauded the Bisons and Buffalo fans for the

teams' 14-year partnership that resulted in nine playoff berths and three league

championships:

Said Dolan: "We would like to thank [Bisons owners] Bob and Mindy Rich, the entire Buffalo

Bisons organization and the Bisons fans for their support the past 14 years. Our affiliation

coincided with the organization's renewed commitment to the foundation of the franchise ... its

Player Development System ... and the Bisons organization played a major role in our success

during that time. Today's announcement is a result of a unique opportunity presented the

Indians organization. We wish the Rich family and the Bisons organization much success in the

future."

Thursday was the first day teams can officially talk to potential new parents, a rule that

has routinely been flaunted during this process. Although the Bisons had no official comment,

it's believed that team officials met with officials from the New York Mets to firm up a PDC

that will be announced here Monday.

Syracuse had hoped to lure the Mets but has apparently failed in that pursuit. Washington

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden visited Alliance Bank Stadium Thursday and the Chiefs are

expected to sign with the Nationals.