MLB

Mets stop Yankees from putting Triple-A team in Newark

Brian Cashman on Tuesday confirmed the Mets won’t allow the Yankees to play Triple-A games in Newark next season while their Scranton/Wilkes-Barre stadium is being repaired.

“The Mets blocked us to go to Newark, N.J. That’s where it begins and ends on that one,” Cashman said. “I didn’t talk to them. We’ll find somewhere soon to play Triple-A.

“I (have) no further comment other than to say, I went there (Newark). I reviewed the place, a request was made, they have territorial rights that they have the right to invoke.’’

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo revealed Tuesday that Yankees officials contacted him last month about playing in Eagles & Bears Riverfront Stadium, which is owned by the City of Newark and Essex County.

DiVincenzo also said the Mets invoked territorial rights to halt the deal.

The top elected official in Essex County said he’s disappointed because a residency by the Triple-A team could have boosted the local economy and given more children a chance to see future Yankees play in person.

He said that his office, the Governor’s Office and the Yankees had worked out what improvements would be needed and even how to compensate the Can-Am League’s Newark Bears for spending a year on the road.

With AP