Cubs agree to 4-year deal with Class AA Smokies

The Chicago Cubs and Tennessee Smokies reached an agreement to keep the Cubs Class AA affiliate in Kodak, Tenn., through 2018, club officials announced Wednesday.

Their affiliation began in 2007, and the latest agreement represents a four-year extension.

"We are pleased to reach agreement with the Tennessee Smokies," said Jason McLeod, the Cubs senior vice president of Scouting and Player Development, in a news release. "Our front office has enjoyed our relationship with the Smokies and the players who have come through Tennessee have spoken very highly of the Smokies and their fans. We thank Randy Boyd, Doug Kirchhofer, Brian Cox and the entire Smokies family for their commitment to providing a great experience for our Double-A players."

In all, 35 Cubs players have gone through the Smokies and made their debut with the Cubs, including Jeff Samardzija, Starlin Castro, Darwin Barney, and Welington Castillo.