ST. LOUIS (AP) – The St. Louis Cardinals say the Peoria Chiefs will be their new full-season Class A minor league affiliate through 2016.  The announcement appears to confirm earlier reports that the Chicago Cubs plan to end their affiliation with Peoria. Cardinals Senior General Manager John Mozeliak said in a statement Wednesday that the deal with the Chiefs will give St. Louis better presence in an area with many Cardinals fans.

The Chiefs were a Cardinals minor league affiliate from 1995-2004 and for several years in the 1950s. Yadier Molina is among a handful of current Cardinals who played in Peoria.  News reports last month indicated the Cubs were ending their relationship with the Chiefs and working on an agreement with the Kane County Cougars. Neither team has confirmed those reports.