Texas Rangers And The Possible Return Of Shin-Soo Choo

The Texas Rangers already have a talented lineup but they could add another talented veteran just before the playoffs are to begin. Right Fielder Shin-Soo Choo is recovering from a fractured left forearm and it is sounding like he could rejoin the club very soon.

In an interview with 105.3 The Fan out of Dallas, Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels said that the reports of Shin-Soo Choo rehabbing in Arizona is that he is looking very “Choo like”. Daniels would later go on to mentioning the possibility of getting Choo some time in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays who the Rangers finish the season against.

Choo has only played in 43 games for the Rangers this year due to 4 stints on the DL but his ability to get on base from the leadoff spot is hard to not want in the lineup. With his most recent absence, outfielder Carlos Gomez was signed and has taken over vacant lead off spot and has been excelling in it. Gomez’s ability to get on base is right there with Choo’s but Gomez does provide better base running skills.

The likelihood of Choo being able to come back at full health with his swing and even his running since it wasn’t a leg injury, isn’t a lock to happen. Teammate Robinson Chirinos had a similar injury at the beginning of the year and when he returned to the team, it did take some time for him to return to full health.

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If Choo is to return then it would have an impact on an outfield that usually consist of Carlos Gomez, Ian Dezmond, and Nomar Mazara. Desmond will not be benched for Choo but one of the other two may. It would be hard to sit Gomez at this point just because of his base running ability and he is possibly the best overall outfielder on the team, that and the attitude he plays with is a big boost.

Rookie Nomar Mazara, or “The Big Chill”, has really turned things on at the plate as of late and would be difficult to elect sitting him as well. I believe the best situation for the Texas Rangers would be to begin the playoffs with Choo being a veteran bat coming off of the bench. He will also be in discussions at the DH position with Carlos Beltran and just about everyone else on this powerful offense.

Figuring out what to do with a good player who helps your team is a good problem to have and one that Jeff Banister will undoubtedly be able to navigate correctly. This team continues to see pieces fall into place on this 2016 campaign and a World Series Victory seems to be their only goal.

Next: Texas Rangers Fall Out Of First Place In The A.L.

How would you use Choo going forward and who would you elect to sit? Join the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Go Rangers!