Omaha surprises fan base, adds Mendoza.(55.07)

[niles08]

When the Omaha front office said to expect a few surprises this off-season, many didn’t expect one of the premiere free agents signing in Omaha to be what they meant.

Luis Mendoza, who spent the first 12 years of his career with Heartland rival Louisville, will put on a Cyclone uniform this coming season after agreeing to a 6-year contract that could pay Mendoza a guaranteed $94,400,000, could be as little as a 1 year $12,400,000 pact. Mendoza holds an opt out after years 1, 5 and 6. This isn’t the typical leverage that Omaha is known for giving out as typically the team has the option on the player.

Mendoza is coming off a great season with a 7.9 WAR thanks to a 269/.414/.637 triple slash line that credited Mendoza with 51 weighted runs above the average BBA player’s production. A 7 WAR season is nothing new for Mendoza, though as his career average is sitting right at 7.0. Mendoza is also no slouch with the glove, accumulating a 24.5 ZR at 3B in 1,353 games started at the position, including 9 ZR along the past 2 seasons.

“This is one of those can’t miss type guys.” Said Omaha GM Justin Niles. “We felt like adding Luis to our organization was a great move to produce a high quality outcome for our team. We cannot wait for him to put on our colors and help lead our team to it’s third consecutive division title next season”.

[Dington]

Booooo!

[aaronweiner]

He took less money from you than I was offering. Given our teams' relative successes, I might have too.

[JimSlade]

Great pickup!

[RT60]

I can't wait to play Omaha this season.

[Dington]

I can't wait to play Omaha this season.

I would be absolutely devastated if Mendoza received a Louisville fastball to the ear.

/s