James Monger signed to a minor league deal.(2053.5)

[niles08]

After sitting in free agency the first 2 months of the season, Cyclone great James Monger has agreed to return to the team. At 40 years old, this is likely a formality as Monger’s career appears to be winding down. This is a minor league deal agreed upon, and Monger has reported to the Hastings Haymakers Short-A team. It’s likely that he will remain in the minors, with a potential call up in September to the big leagues as his swan song.

Many have had Monger penciled in as the “manager in waiting” with the club for many years, with the club openly discussing a spot for him in the organization. It’s just up to James as to when he decides to hang up the cleats for the last time.

In his storied 18-year BBA career, all with Omaha, Monger accumulated 56 career WAR from the second base position, including hitting 478 home runs and a triple slash of .276/.333/.476. He was a career 26.8 ZR second baseman, and tried shortstop (failing miserably) in 381 games with a negative 24.7 ZR. His WAR would likely be over 60 had he not spend those years at shortstop.

He finds himself near the top of the leaderboards for career bating among second baseman, with more total bases, home runs, and RBI’s than any other second baseman to play the game. Despite being looked at as a power threat, he is in the top 5 in both singles, doubles and runs scored, by a second baseman in his career.

[Trebro]

Going to have a really good case for the Hall, though it will be interesting to see if the stats bulge during this era impacts on his ability to get in--and on the ability of others to get in later.

[CTBrewCrew]

you better call him up and release Ferrell back to me.