The Brewers have signed first baseman/outfielder Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, his agency announced (via Naver Sports; h/t: Sung Min Kim of River Ave Blues, on Twitter). Choi’s deal comes with an $850K salary if he makes the Brewers’ roster and a chance to earn $650K more in incentives.
To this point, the 26-year-old Choi hasn’t done much in the majors, having batted .181/.279/.386 in 147 plate appearances. While Choi struggled across 129 PAs as an Angel in 2016, he was terrific over a much smaller sample with the Yankees last year, when he slashed .267/.333/.733 in 18 trips to the plate. The lefty-swinger spent the majority of the season with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate and hit a robust .288/.373/.538 in 338 PAs.
On the heels of Choi’s strong showing in 2017, the Yankees were among a slew of clubs that offered him a contract. He’ll instead head to Milwaukee to vie for a big league role, though a path to immediate playing time at his positions isn’t evident. The Brewers have Eric Thames and Jesus Aguilar at first base, Choi’s primary spot, and they’re loaded with outfielders.
Why?..
Why not…
Because there’s no room for him………………
He’s a depth piece. Clubs signs players to deals like this all the time to let them compete for a spot on the roster. Competition is healthy, even at a position you seem to be locked in to. Plus his salary is only guaranteed if he makes the roster. If he doesn’t play well enough to earn a spot, the crew cuts him lose. Seems pretty low risk to me
Good depth signing for the Brewers, though I also wondered “Why?” from Choi’s perspective. Too many 1B and OF candidates in MIL already, as Connor wrote.
Injuries can always happen. And it’s not like Aguilar and Thames have a huge track record either. Either of those guys could easily have a fall off after one good year. In fact, if you take away Thames where pitchers were not used to him and he was very mediocre in 2017. Honestly, I would be surprised if Thames hits over .220 this season.
He realizes he can put up monster numbers in Colorado Springs, much like Garrett Cooper did last year prior to being dealt to the Yankees. Cooper’s almost a lock to make the depleted Marlins roster now. Thames is controlled only through 2019. Brewers could opt to move him before that.
Good points, hiflew and daveineg. Injuries are always possible, and Thames’s second half may be more indicative of his talent than that video-game first month or two.
I had not even considered the Colorado Springs angle, which also makes sense from Choi’s persepective.
Thames had potential and some success prior to Korea then destroyed it there adjusting his stance/mechanics and approach. It was his first year back in MLB so he was bound to have ups and downs. When he was patient he was great. When he expanded his zone he didn’t perform overly well. His 2nd half was 246/338/794.- people act like he was trash after April. He’ll continue to make adjustments and wouldn’t be shocked if he posted better numbers as a result.
Aguilar was proven at the AAA level just need an opportunity for a season, similar to Choi – and he proved his worth. Depth is always critical due to injuries or a trade. Aguilar is controlled 5yrs and Thames 3yrs (including option). After trading Cooper to NYY last year they’re in need a his replacement hence Choi. Colorado Springs has nothing to do with anything – he’s already played in the PCL too. Everyone knows that environment is one of the best in all of baseball so it’s not as if he’s being evaluated solely on his numbers in CO. Cooper was a solid player his entire career who always had a chance at cracking a MLB roster, just needed a team to do so. And now he has that in Miami
Ji-Man, c’mon Man! Why didn’t you sign with the Cubs? You could have been the best Ji-Man to have ever played for them.
they are going to play him at 1st and in left in spring training. Good depth piece if Thames or Braun get hurt which is likely.
Depth. He’s ok as a aaa guy we can bring up just in case.
Connor Byrne …. this is TERRIFIC “.267/.333/.733” ???
I’d say that’s pretty terrific.
Nothing terrific about 18 PA’s. Too small a sample size to even apply an adjective. It would be just as unfair to say he was terrible if he’d went 1 for 15.
Small sample but an OPS of 1.066 is well above league average. Over a full season you would pray for that type of power production from your first baseman.
How about .429/.429/.857 with an OPS of 1.286 ?
(Yuniesky Betancourt from July 25 to July 30, 2013).
6 games are meaningless.
Good depth signing, not much depth at 1B in the minors. Plus he is still only 26 and controllable if they want to keep him.
I agree completely, and as a Pirate fan I don’t like seeing the Brew Crew grab another power bat, even if he is just depth for now. I have felt for a couple of years that Choi just needs to find the right opportunity. He could really mash in Miller Park, and he draws a good number of walks for a power guy too.
As a Yankee fan, I liked what I saw out of Ji-Man Choi. He deseves a real shot. I would have loved it if he became the backup 1B for the Yankees but I wish him the best in MIL
How many minor league contracts have been signed this offseason, compared to major league contracts?