Could Monger opt out and leave Omaha?(45.09)

[niles08]

Lost in the Omaha club’s 34-14 this year is the question marks that were already setting themselves up for the next off-season. Like for instance, could second baseman James Monger, who has spent his entire career in Omaha, opt out of the remaining year of his deal and leave the only organization he has ever known?

Monger has an opt-out at the end of 2045, where he can walk away from a guaranteed $12.2 million in 2046. After signing a 5-year extension worth just $61,000,000 that began in 2042, when Monger could have demanded higher elsewhere, the time for James Monger to be patrolling 2nd base in Omaha may be coming to an end.

He was originally drafted by Omaha with the 2nd overall pick in 2033, and debuted with the big league club in 2034 at the ripe age of 21. He has been a staple in the lineup ever since that time, accumulating a career WAR of 40.02, which is 5th all-time in Cyclones history.

His 1,658 career games places him 3rd all time in Hawks history, where he also finds himself in career at bats and career runs with 952. He is the 4th all-time hits leader in franchise history, and just second in total bases. He remarkably has 13 fewer doubles than Emilio Morales, but still finds himself 4th on the all-time doubles list for the Cyclones.

Speaking of home run hitters, Monger’s 330 career home runs has him second on the all-time list in Hawks history, behind only Morales. Monger is also second in RBI’s, behind Morales.

You can also find Monger on the top list for steals, walks, hit by pitches for his career.

If this is it for Monger in Omaha, let’s send him out right. Let’s send him out with a championship.

It may be worth pointing out that if Monger does head out of town, Omaha does have Gehrig Jelinowicz who appears to be ready in AA right now. Jelinowicz has the tools to be a good hitter at the plate but his defensive ability at second base is still in question.