Kernels lose again, future with Angels still publicly unknown

CEDAR RAPIDS - There are three weeks remaining in the Midwest League season, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels have not renewed an expiring Player Development Contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

What does that mean? You might be getting some clue, though you have to be a soothsayer to know the exact truth.

The Kernels aren't saying anything publicly, not wanting to risk being heavily fined by Major League Baseball for a violation of its “Rule 56,” which governs everything PDC related.

“Major League Baseball rules prohibit us from discussing affiliations,” Kernels General Manager Doug Nelson said Sunday afternoon, during a 9-5 loss to Kane County before 2,475 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

This much is known. Kernels President Gary Keoppel said in mid June the club was acquainting itself with a new regime running the Angels and was trying to determine what was best for the future: extending a relationship that has lasted 20 years or going into the free-agency affiliation pool to see what other major league clubs might be available.

Angels General Manager Jerry DiPoto and farm director Scott Servais flew to town in mid July to give a presentation they hoped would convince the Kernels' board of directors (the local men and woman who own the team) to ultimately sign an extension. That extension has not been signed.

If the Kernels decide to “shop,” they would need to give written notice to Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball sometime between the end of the MWL season Sept. 3 and Sept. 11. There is a two-week PDC negotiation window (Sept. 16 through 30), with an Oct. 7 deadline for all teams to have agreements in place for the 2013 season.

It promises to be a very interesting month, as 11 of the 16 clubs in the Midwest League have expiring Player Development Contracts, with another eight in the South Atlantic League coming due. That's the other low-Class A loop in the minor leagues.

There long has been thought that a regional affiliation would best serve the Kernels, and attractive MLB clubs such as the Cubs, Cardinals and Twins could theoretically be available. Quad Cities, for instance, drew over 5,000 fans for a midweek game last week in which 2,000 replica Cardinals' World Series rings were given away.

Some fans began standing in line outside Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport at 9 a.m. for the 7 p.m. game, to assure getting one of the rings.

The Kernels dropped to 46-73 overall and 14-35 in the second half with Sunday's loss. Kane County had 15 hits.

The teams play again Monday night at 6:35.

Here is the game boxscore:

Scoreboard _ Midwest League Scoreboard