Jimmy Starks is back home.(46.05)

[niles08]

When Jimmy Starks Jr. was signed by Las Vegas last off-season many fans in Omaha were “pissed” to put it nicely. Starks had been a long time member, and one of the few hold outs from the Omaha franchise when they were better known as the Indy Grasshoppers before relocating the team.

Starks had spent 13 seasons with the club, and needless to say, fans were excited when Omaha announced that they had traded for him last season to bring him home. With Starks on a 1-year deal, many wondered if that meant Omaha would be resigning him, or going through the process again of pissing off fans who they had just comforted with the acquisition.

Before free agency opened, fans questions were answered.

During a press conference, Omaha GM called Jimmy out from behind the curtain and allowed him to sit down, put on a Cyclones hat and jersey, and sign a fresh 3-year contract extension that now will allow Starks to remain in Omaha through the 2048 season.

" I've said it before, and I'll say it time and time again. We care about our players in Omaha. These guys have put it all out there for us for the past decade, and they can still contribute with us at a high level. We made a mistake last season not chasing after Jimmy in free agency and the second he signed with Las Vegas, it hurt. We were thrilled to announce he was coming back last season, and we're even more excited to announce this extension." said GM Justin Niles

Jimmy is going to make $1.7M this season, $1.6 in 2047, and an even $1.4M in 2048. Similar to the past few seasons, He is expected to contribute by being in the lineup regularly against left-handed hitters, most likely at first base.

Starks has had a long career, but despite the fanfare, has had issues with injuries. He has only appeared in more than 136 games, 3 times in his career and finished with a WAR lower than 2.37 in all but 3 seasons. His career season was in 2039 when he hit .302/388/.573 while hitting 33 home runs and finishing with a 5.33 WAR.

While fans will see this as a fun signing, that likely is all it is. Despite the loyalty the team has shown to Starks, even the 1.7M they are paying him this season could have likely been used in other areas.