Negotiations to lock up right fielder Shin-Soo Choo don't seem to be going anywhere, writes Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. The South Korean will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season. Choo earned a shade over $420K last season, and his contract was renewed with a "minimal raise" for 2010.
Ideally, the Indians would like to sign the 27-year-old to a five-year deal with a team option for a sixth. However, neither Choo nor his agent Scott Boras have shown interest in such a pact. You may recall that Choo hired Scott Boras as his representative in late February, roughly two weeks after Felipe Lopez cut ties with the super-agent.
Castrovince points out that during Mark Shapiro's tenure, the Tribe has a habit of locking up their core players prior to arbitration. The most prominent example, he writes, was the six-year, $23.45MM deal given to Grady Sizemore in 2006.
Meanwhile, Castrovince also writes that Asdrubal Cabrera – who is also arbitration-eligible at season's end – also fits the mold of a player that the Indians would look to lock up. At present, it's unclear whether the Tribe has made such an attempt.
I hope such a deal will prevent him from going to the Korean Military.
I doubt it, I think they have to work around that. I think Choo will get out of it somehow though. He said he had an alternative way of getting out of his military service, although I don’t believe he ever told reporters what it was. The Indians should definitely lock this guy up though, he getting better every year and he will be a great asset for the Indians if they can get this done.
The problem is Boras has already said he will treat the negotiations as if Choo has no military issue. That is sad. However, it was Choo’s decision to sign with him, I’m kind of disappointed in Choo for doing that.
I have a solution to the military issue but I would NEVER give it to Boras, even if he paid me, because he would just jack up the price to the Indians by a billion dollars.
If they make him go into the miltiary with his outstanding career he is having so far and Korea would take a huge media hit and it would make them look really mad if they forced him to go
That is a tremendous point. There has to be some other way for him to take care of this.
I agree with you i think that when he retired maybe later 30s he still will be pretty fit for combat action cause baseball players are physically fit for a lot of beating on there body over 162 games so i think he can survive 2 years in the army in his late 30’s
The simple answer is too simply not go back to Korea. The US wont extradite him for it, mainly cause the US doesn’t recognize forced military service. Of course if he chooses that option he can never return to Korea, at least not without being subjected to being arrested. (Not sure what the charge is)
That’s always the obvious 2nd option but I think that’s his last resort. It’s his home you know? I don’t think he would want to just be away from his family forever. I mean in reality, he could go to Korea for the two years and come back. Players have taken 2 or 3 years/seasons off to serve for their country. Is that the right thing to do? Who knows. But In Choo’s case, he is unlike DiMaggio for example who was American and he came back to his home. If Choo serves, he will be going home. Then again, playing Cleveland Indians Baseball or Major League Baseball is awesome and every player who plays should be thankful and grateful for the opportunity. They should just do what they feel is right. I really do think though that Shin Soo Choo is a tremendous player and I love seeing him play so I hope everything goes well for him.
Shin-Soo Choo is so damn good. I love to watch him play, too… I really wish the Mariners didn’t trade him.
Choo put together a solid all-around season in 2009, but he faces a potential problem that has nothing to do with baseball. South Korean men are required to serve two years in the military by the time they turn 30 years old. Choo will be 28 in July and will have to deal with this issue soon.
Choo has options. The best alternative would be to play for the South Korean baseball team in the 2010 Asian Games, which will be held in November. Choo would need to get clearance from the Indians to participate. If South Korea wins the gold medal, his military obligation would be waived.
The situation would become more complicated if Choo doesn’t play on the team or if South Korea doesn’t win the tournament.
Choo could refuse to return to South Korea or apply for citizenship in the United States, but he realizes that decision may not be well-received in his country, where people follow his performance on a daily basis.
And away we go you know how Shapiro operates and hates to deal with Boras.
IMO by the all star break they will entertain offers from other team for Choo, I know the Indians could just let Choo go Arby but we all know they don’t want to pay anyone market value.
I can see it now The Indians trade Choo to the Mets for Jenrry Mejia and Fernando Martinez.
The problem with Arby is a player can go from 400,000 dollars to 4 million dollars, and then if I’m not mistaken, the skys the limit the following season.
How sad is it that the Indians got both Choo and Cabrera for Eduardo Perez and Ben Broussard. Both worthless in their short time in Seattle and both no longer in baseball.
re: headline — spelling (-1)
A Boras client not buying out his Arb years? shocking…and in other news, water is wet.
Damn you Bavasi!!!!!