Most executives and scouts expected Shin-Soo Choo to wind up with the Rangers, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports. Sources say Choo liked Texas because of its recent run of success, the growing Korean population in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and because the team conducts Spring Training in Arizona. While GM Jon Daniels would have also been comfortable re-signing Nelson Cruz to a shorter deal, the agreement shows that MLB executives prefer to have their rosters complete before Christmas, Crasnick says. Here's more on the deal from around baseball:
- The signing makes Texas one of the AL's best teams, ESPN.com's Keith Law says, writing that Choo could be worth 6 wins in 2014 because of the defensive boost he's likely to get after transitioning out of center field. However, Law notes that it's also a lengthy contract for a player who struggles mightily against left-handed pitching.
- The Mariners appear to be one of the losers following the signing, according to Law, who says Seattle projects as the fourth-best team in the AL West even after inking Robinson Cano. Choo would have also been a good fit for the Tigers, who Law says have had a puzzling offseason thus far.
- A source close to Choo says the outfielder considered the Rangers his "clear first choice," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal writes. While Texas will enter 2014 with more left-handed hitters in its lineup, the club appears to be the AL West's best as things currently stand, Rosenthal says. He adds that the signing takes the Rangers out of the running for Masahiro Tanaka, if he's eventually posted.
- Anthony Castrovince profiles Choo in an article for MLB.com, lauding his work ethic.
- Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News writes that the deal completes a Texas offseason in which the team managed to achieve nearly all of its goals. The club had intended to keep its payroll around $125MM.
- While the Yankees weren't able to sign Choo, Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News says the deal may ultimately help the Yanks because it eliminates Texas as a potential suitor for Masahiro Tanaka.
It was a really strong offseason for JD and co. Just need to go get a solid INF bench player and we’ll be good to go.
I don’t love the back end of that rotation, and the A’s are really good, but yeah, they did good.
Look for the Angels to be MUCH better than last year. With a much better rotation and bullpen plus a healthier Pujols and Hamilton going off in the second half this team will not be the same cupcakes we saw last year.
Exactly. It’s funny how people are writing them off as if they’re not a contender. They are still a power house…don’t count them out. Rangers line up was better last year anyway.
I agree Angels shouldn’t be counted out… but what are your reasons for thinking the Rangers line up was better last year? Berkman was out about a month into the season, Cruz suspended the last 50 games. Hell, AJP and Soto platooned DH most nights!
Their line up in the 2nd half of 2013:
Kinsler
Andrus
Rios
Beltre
Moreland
AJP/soto
Martin
Gentry
Profar
Projected line up for 2014:
Choo
Andrus
Fielder
Beltre
Rios
Moreland
Soto
Martin
Profar
I dunno about you – but give me the 2014 version all day
That is still not fearsome and a far cry from what it was when Hamilton was in his hay day. Profar, Martin, Soto, Moreland, Rios, and Andrus are all iffy and potential liabilities. While Darvish is an absolute superstar, there is nothing, literally nothing else behind him. Maybe Holland has figured it out, but that is a big maybe. Perez should take that next step, however, he has not and young enough to be unknown. Perhaps Harrison rebounds? Rangers will be good, for sure, but the days of pummeling their way to the playoffs are over for now and with the backend of Fielder and Choo’s contacts looming maybe for a while.
You know we were 4th in the AL for ERA last year with all the injuries and problems. Harrison was a legit and consistent #2 in 2012 and should be healthy this year. Holland is the definition of a #3/4 starter, an ace one day and #5 the next. Perez was solid last year and he is only 22. He was put on the top prospects lists at such a young age that everybody thinks he was a bust but he is ahead of schedule compared to most. He got better and better each time last year. I would put money on him making a big jump this year and that means doing better than his 10 wins and 3.62 ERA. Solid #2/3 this year and #1/2 going forward.
Harrison, Holland, and Perez are unknowns with solid ceiling but undefined floors. While Yu will anchor the arms without a doubt, I just don’t see a Top 5 rotation which is what it will take given that this lineup is not what it was. Kinsler is gone leaving leadoff uncertain which makes Fielder’s acquisition less of an upgrade. Rios repeating also seems unlikely and potentially hampering the run department. Choo – Andrus – Beltre – Fielder – Rios and then what? The #5 hitter is now catching in BOS while Soto, horrible offensive catcher, is attempting to fill his shoes. There is plenty of reason the stars could align and Texas will again be the most fearsome AL team in baseball, tons of talent and solid farm, but seems just a bit short. Adding Tanaka, Jiminez, or even Garza maybe would help tremendously, IMO.
You also realize this awful rotation of nobodies and lineup of “has beens” won 91 games last year? And we got better this off season? I do understand your side though as we could fail in all expectations and only win 86 games 😉
Will Darvish repeat that? Holland was as consistent last year as I think he will ever be and may not repeat that either? Perez will log solid innings he did not last year. If Harrison and/or Lewis can come back strong that should help a lot also. But the offense I’m still unsure about. Choo-Andrus-Beltre-Fielder is solid, but Martin-Soto-Profar etc….not SL sure.
You also realize this awful rotation of nobodies and lineup of “has beens” won 91 games last year? And we got better this off season? I do understand your side though as we could fail in all expectations and only win 86 games 😉
Garza was horrendous for Texas. I’d rather them re-sign Mitch Williams.
I would have never given Choo a year 130 million dollar deal.
If I were a GM, which I am obviously not, but if I were, the most I would have offered would have been 5yrs/85 million. Exactly, what McCann got
As for the Mariners, they didn’t lose anything. Their Outfield is fine without him!
Lastly, I don’t know why the Tigers off-season is puzzling, I kind of like what they did.
Prince Fielder was never a really a fit. It was unfortunate that Victor Martinez got hurt when he did.
The Only team with a truly puzzling off-season are the Orioles, although some would say it’s just another typical off-season.
5/$85MM for Choo…good luck with that. Considering that Pence signed for $90MM you might as well not make an offer. Well…unless your offer is a protest about how a coke doesn’t cost a nickel anymore and how music was better during your generation.
Once I saw that Choo was signed, I kinda assumed that JD was out on Tanaka.
I don’t think the Rangers are out on Tanaka. I mean, if there were interest in Price I’m sure there’s plenty of interest in Masahiro. I’m sure they would rather pay a player outright than to give up the farm AND pay outright (not insinuating Tanaka is on Price’s level). It’s not like TEX doesn’t have money to play with. They’re still in good shape, and signing Tanaka could make another starter available for trade.
But do they really want to make 2 $130M commitments in the same offseason?
I don’t necessarily think it’ll happen because NY is spending out of control, and there isn’t really a good trade situation for a TEX starter.
If they, for instance, pay Tanaka they can trade another starter, BUT they would probably prefer it be Harrison. Holland and Perez are both on very reasonable contracts and the Rangers wouldn’t want to trade them.
Harrison is good, but coming off a hip injury, so it would be selling low.
Ogando is probably the best trade chip, but I personally would be disappointed if they traded him.
Luckily it wasn’t Harrison’s hip, it was a herniated disk in his back. Easier fix and better results than hip problems.
Good look Astros
I think it’s a good job by the rangers that they didn’t wait for Tanaka because he may not be posted at all.
Also I feel really bad for the team that decides to invest in Nelson Cruz
I’d like to see Texas bring Cruz back as DH if Tanaka isn’t posted. I don’t think we’d be the high bidders, but he may consider it.
Why would you want Cruz?
Honestly if I was the Rangers I would rather have the draft pick.
Rangers still need a DH, unless they really want to depend on Moreland in that role.
They could trade for Butler still, but it’s better to have a guy that can play multiple positions.
What multiple positions can Cruz play? Dude hasn’t graded out positively in the OF since 2010.
Moreland: 1B, OF
I think the Mariners and the Angels will be a toss up for 3rd place in the AL west. The Angels have a better offense (depending on Pujols and Hamilton.) While the Mariners have better pitching and a much needed All Star bat in Cano
It’ll be a 3 team race. A’s, Angels, and Rangers all have their issues and none of them are all around good teams at this point. They still have their weaknesses so the division is likely up for grabs.
The Rangers are just as lilely to finish third. They’re nothing special and now they’re wasting money as much as the Angels have been.
Congrats to the Rangers for landing a good player. My thoughts on this just show that small market teams cannot compete in the free agency market. I keep hoping for the day the MLB introduces a salary cap in the form of what the NFL has done. Look at the popularity of the NFL… a big reason is that all teams for the most part can compete equally and it is very difficult in the NFL these days to build a dynasty to dominate year in and year out. Why can’t MLB adopt the same type of salary cap?
If teams are unwilling to pay to compete then they should lose their franchise. I’m sorry to say but there is no room in the business of professional sports for small market teams to compete. All the small markets should be turned into “group loaded” minor league teams.
Another solution could be to all teams that spend less than league average to be able to have more players on their roster to even the playing field. Teams such as the Reds probably need at least a 30 man roster to compete evenly with a 25 man roster of say St. Louis.
It’s not the league, it’s the players. A salary cap is absolutely their most feared thing. It will never happen.
Not true. Depending on the structure players could get on board with it. The biggest problem is that the big market teams would never agree to the extent of revenue sharing that the NFL has. It’s not even close to comparable and will simply never happen in MLB.
I don’t agree at all. There’s plenty of small market teams that are doing just fine. Baseball isn’t won by names. Its won by having deep organizations that do everything right. Drafting, developing, scouting, making smart trades and finding the hidden jewels are what makes a team successful. More often than not when a team signs a big name they are paying for the past. The NFL is a total different animal. They have watered down the sport and for the most part if you hit on a quarterback in the draft and can keep him in one piece all year you have a shot. Don’t believe me? Just look at the Cowboys they are a terrible team and somehow they still have a shot at the playoffs. The NFL has ruined their product.
The Cowboys have a playoff shot because the NFC East is a putrid division, not because of the play of Romo.
Really disagree, especially about giving some teams 30 roster spots. That is completely unfair, at that point we might as well let the Astros start hitting off of tees, because hey they can’t afford Fielder.
Just because NFL is tremendously popular and that they have a salary cap does not mean that there is any causation there. Sure the Yankees, Phillies, RS have won WS in recent years, but you also have the Cards and the Giants in that group.
Also, by the Yankees being over other teams benefit.
Tell the rays that you have to have a ton of money to win.
Besides, there is such a thing as “profit sharing” in the MLB. The money is there, but most owners refuse to spend it on their product (IE- Pirates).
You can’t pay 25 so you get 30 players. Slots is the only way to go if one must go. Each slot has a value and you cannot change team unless you are placed in a higher slot.
The NFL salary cap has created mediocrity not Parity and the popularity is overblown. MLB and NFL are neck and neck when it comes to revenue streams, net worth and TV ratings now.
There are still $40 MM differences between teams like the Broncos and the Raiders without any help from the lux tax penalty not to mention the only teams in MLB that will be above the cap this year are the Yanks and the Dodgers
Law has had it hard for DD and the Tigers this off season and frankly Tiger fans could not care less about what he thinks. We’re willing to give DD the benefit of a doubt and know that the WS is not won during the winter as many teams including the Tigers can attest. What a huge mistake it would have been to sign Choo for 2-3 years of quality for 4-5 years of mediocrity afterwards. Let’s get into spring training at least before we crown kings. Go Tigers
Honestly I really don’t like the Tigers moves this winter. They freed up some money, but that’s about it, the team is not nearly as good as it was last year. I’m sure they can still win their division, but I don’t see them by far being a dominant team now.
In 2011 he was awful and 2012 he was decent…so to expect repeat production I think is silly. This contract will end up brutal as the power and speed will decline sooner than later. Just horrid contract, IMO. I would have gone 4/60 tops is how horrible, IMO. He has .344/.373 OBP in those years, and while the launching pad that is Texas should help…I would not count on .400, at all. Oh well, I don’t like Texas, so I hope this ends up as bad as it looks on the face of it…but I suppose it is what it is as hey waited forever to do anything….again.
Baffling numbers in my opinion. If Choo gets that obscene amount of money how much does Trout and McCutchen get?
I see somebody giving Trout and McCutchen getting Cano and Pujols money… maybe more. You know somebody out there will pony up.
It depends on how the market and the game changes between now and then. It’s entirely possible that Trout could get a 300MM contract, but it’s also possible the inflation comes back down a little, especially with the (somewhat) league wide caution about megadeals. Though these two players in particular are young enough that a 10 year deal wouldn’t be terrible.
The only reason to be careful with that kind of money is if the player is a free agent. If he’s your player and is already great like Trout he’s worth locking up to a huge contract. I don’t see Trout being bad all of a sudden if he gets a contract from the Angels. Signing with a team like the Yankees, Red Sox or Dodgers though could change things. That’s why teams should be careful going after free agents. How will they do for you?
You mean you see the Angels giving Trout that money. No way will Trout ever be allowed to be a free agent. He’ll get locked up to a lifetime contract.
Trout will get an obscene contract if he hits free agency at this rate.
This signing along with the Elsbury signing for the dollar amounts is just obscene. Even the McCann money is outrageous. Basically we are saying Starling Marte is a 130 million player at this point because honestly I would take him over McCann and Choo any day. He will be a 20 homer 45 steal ball player with gold glove defense and hit around .280 and he just turned 24.
Starling Marte is not a free agent so it really doesn’t matter.
No.
Sure he provides value as a top of the order bat, but Choo gives you a much higher obp, and McCann is at a very valuable position.
I don’t know why the media keeps saying this takes them out of the Tanaka sweepstakes. They still have a reasonable payroll and if JD’s scouts feel he’s legit I can see them making a run at him. I understand they have a budget but I know ownership will pony up if JD is serious about the guy.
Yeah I could see that happening with the TV deal kicking in before long if they really want him. They’ll likely put in a bid and talk to the guy at least. Plus if they signed him I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade one of their other starters and maybe find another bat that way.
Tanaka wouldn’t want to pitch in Texas. Not a good pitcher ballpark. Same with the Yankees.
Thats silly. Good pitching is good in any ballpark. That has been proven. Tanaka will take the deal worth the most money.
This is a good signing for both sides. Choo gets his money, Rangers get their leadoff hitter. For me, this puts Texas above Oakland in the AL west.
That depends on their pitching.
Rangers pitching was pretty much the least of their problems even with the injuries. The offense just couldn’t get the job done.
Lol they’re not above the A’s. Our pitching will handle their bats..they’re going to miss Nathan in the 9th. I’d also take Melvin managing over Washington too. But we’ll see what happens on the diamond but the A’s have proven the last two years they can take the division right from Texas.
Or it puts the Rangers 4th in the AL West. It’s foolish to talk about this nonsense right now.
A good move for both Choo and the Rangers. I think this move puts them atop of the AL West.
The bottom half of their lineup is still a big question as is the back end of their rotation. It’s gonna be a 3 team race.
I agree, I think the Angels will contend if they can get another front-line starter. I mean, Pujols and Hamilton couldn’t possibly be worse. I like a rotation of Holland-Harrison-Perez-Ogando/Feliz/Lewis supporting Darvish, at least very much so in the AL West. Texas are like STL in that they have a surplus of young power pitching, its just a matter of Wash figuring out the right roles.
They might not get worse but they need to do better than what they did for the Angels last season. Honestly though the thing that really has to turn around for them is the bullpen.
The Angels will have a better chance of contending if they get a new manager and pitching coach. It might take another horrible season for Arte to finally fix his mess.
I personally don’t understand why the Choo signing is good for the Rangers. Now they have another lead-off man. That makes four guys who can lead off and Alex Rios who should be batting second but wont be because of Andrus. The Rangers needed a bat to hit behind Fielder and Beltre, because Moreland is incredibly inconsistent, Rios doesn’t have enough power, Michael Choice has nowhere to play, and everyone else is either a lead-off hitter, a two hole hitter or a nine hole hitter.
Who are the other three guys that can lead off? Surely you do not mean the can’t-get-on-base Martin(.310OBP) and Andrus(.329OBP)? The only player on the Rangers last year capable of leading off was Kinsler(.344OBP), and he is gone. Even Rios only had a .315OBP. An astute baseball fan would understand why the Rangers offense was so terribly mediocre last year. Thinking that somebody like Martin could handle the leadoff spot just because he has speed is completely wrong and outdated. Choo (.423OBP, career .389OBP) makes all the difference in the world, a much bigger difference than adding a Nelson Cruz behind Beltre. The days of whiffing and hitting 4 HRs to win ballgames is over, that type of approach is precisely why the Rangers offense was terribly inconsistent last year.
I was referring to Andrus, mainly because he’s a terrible two hole hitter who has speed. If the days of whiffing and hitting 4 HRs to win is over, I guess that trend is starting next year because that’s how the Red Sox just won the World Series. Timely home runs. Choo has a great on-base, much better than anyone on the Rangers. But when only two guys can hit you home, you still don’t score runs. Then they’re short on pitching. Darvish and Holland, then a group of kids and comeback players. They should have traded Moreland and signed Garza, Santana or Ubaldo
I am a Sox Fan, and the Sox do not win games by whiffing and hitting HRs. In fact, it is common knowledge that their approach is to grind out ABs, up the pitch-counts and get-on base, precisely the OPPOSITE of whiffing for HRs. The fact that they had timely homeruns does not mean that their approach was to swing for the fences. Garza made absolutely no impact for the Rangers last year, why would they want to retain him.
I’m a Sox fan too and the Tigers struck them out and no-hit them through 7 in almost every game. Yeah they walk a lot, but they whiff and homer just as much as the rangers. But the Red Sox had better pitching and got on base from everyone in the order.
The Red Sox struck out a lot because they had to go through Scherzer, Verlander, and Sanchez in 5 of the 6 games that they played. It happened to Oakland too, and it is most likely to happen to any other team playing the Tigers in the postseason. This is hardly a good sample to evaluate their strategy.
plus the Sox had a leadoff hitter with a decent OBP who led the league in steals bcuz the guys behind him could grind out ABs and hit with 2 strikes. On top of that the Sox had a ton of doubles and went 1st to 3rd or 2nd to home more than any team in the AL
The Rangers only hit 2 less HRs than the Red Sox last year and added OBP to the top of the order and added HRs with Fielder over Cruz and Choo hits more HRs than Kinsler does now
They still have to do more. Make some significant trades. Go for a Dodgers outfielder (not Crawford) or Domonic Brown, he’s available. Someone who can compliment Beltre and Fielder, or they just won’t be good enough.
Shadow: you are living in the past. Red Sox led AL in runs, OBP, but were fifth in HRs. You also say Rangers need a slugger behind Beltran, what about the Red Sox. Sox normally had Ortiz, Napoli followed by Gomes, Nava, Carp and Victorino. Hardly a power group, yet they led the league in runs.
I would go
Choo
Andrus
Fielder
Beltre
Rios
Moreland
Soto
Martin
Profar
This lineup really makes me wish the Rangers hadn’t traded away Gentry.. he would be the perfect complement to this starting OF. Choice can maybe platoon w/ Moreland at DH…?
Or Moreland could be dealt while Choice can play the OF once in awhile when Choo needs a break vs LHP and DH on other days.
Solid line up right there
Yeah but I think its worth it to give Moreland another shot. I still think he has 30HR power in Arlington and I can hardly see him being as bad as last year. Besides you would be selling low on him if you dealt him now, not sure what you can get for a player with nothing but power that hasn’t produced.
I agree on Moreland’s power potential especially in Arlington, but if he doesn’t produce again in that line-up, you’re getting less back if you try and deal him next year. If he does produce this year JD may still have to deal him at a higher Arb 3 salary which could hurt his value anyways
Its the side of the risk JD will have to decide on.
I project that exact same line-up Evan – looks good. I also agree w you on Moreland. Not only would you be selling low, but don’t forget his value in the field at 1b too. Could plug him in at 1B as a defensive substitute when trying to close out a win or when you give Prince a 1/2 day off to DH
I think Choice will get another year of AAA then replace Rios next year. Or he is part of a package to get Price.
Yeah odds are Engel will be number four as he is out of options and the Rangers don’t want to lose him. Choice gives them some depth is someone goes down though.
Overpay. Good player, though. Hopefully this works out for both sides (these deals never do).
All of this money the Rangers are spending won’t make them better. They’re just turning into the Angels. The A’s will probably win the division again but do nothing in the playoffs. You don’t need to waste hundreds of millions on free agents to win. You need a good overall team.
Tell that to the Yankees. I think they did just this in the 90’s and 2000’s. Have a core group of solid guys that they complimented with free agents. They got off that and started having less success when they went the free agent route only.
the Rangers have had a GREAT overall team for the past 4 seasons. Great team Chemistry and they added to it with a talented likable Choo.
Think the Rangers has a World Series lineup now?