** Mudcats-Marlins Extend Player Developement Contract **

Zebulon, NC --- The Carolina Mudcats and Florida Marlins announced the signing of a two-year player development contract, extending their partnership through the 2008 Southern League season. 

“The Florida Marlins have been tremendous partners, not only have they provided us with good teams and players but working with their Minor League Staff has been very enjoyable," commented Joe Kremer, Carolina's General Manager.  "The quality of people within the organization is second to none.  The Carolina Mudcats look forward to two more great years being affiliated with the Florida Marlins.” 

This pact represents the third two-year agreement inked, and is being announced over a month before the end of the 2006 regular season.   

"We're very pleased to extend our PDC agreement with the Carolina Mudcats.  We have had a good working relationship with the Mudcats organization and have had a good deal of success on the field too," remarked Marlins VP of Player Development/Scouting Jim Fleming.  "We look forward to continued success in Carolina.”

Armed with Marlins' farmhands, Carolina won its second-ever Southern League championship in 2003, while its parent club claimed its second World Series title in tandem.  Since the partnership began three years ago, the Marlins have guided over 15 major leaguers through Carolina, including 2003 National League Rookie of the Year (ROY) Dontrelle Wills, all-star Miguel Cabrera, Josh Willingham, Jeremy Hermida, and 2006 ROY candidates Josh Johnson and Scott Olsen. 

The Mudcats joined with Florida prior to the 2003 season, and have enjoyed three consecutive winning seasons along with an additional playoff appearance in 2005.  Carolina's initial three years have resulted in 80 victories in 2003, and 77 in 2005, two of the three most prolific winning seasons in Carolina history (89, 1995).  The Mudcats also finished 2004 with a 73-66 record, completing a three-year cycle of .500+ baseball which had never occurred in Zebulon prior to the Marlins' arrival.

Since Carolina's inaugural season, the Mudcats have been affiliated with just three major league teams:  Pittsburgh (1991-98), Colorado (1999-2002) and Florida (2003-present).