Texas Rangers: Could Shin-Soo Choo Be Traded This Off-Season?

The main problem for the Texas Rangers is not on the offensive side of the ball, but could trading outfielder Shin-Soo Choo actually benefit the organization?

Heading into the 2018 season the Texas Rangers have 35-year-old outfielder Shin-Soo Choo under contract for three more years. Not just that, but Choo is owed $20 million in 2018 and $21 million the next two seasons.

The organization would love to clear that cap and move Choo elsewhere this off-season, but is that possible? How many organizations are out there looking for 35-year-old veteran outfielders making over $20 million a year?

In 2017 Choo hit .261 with 22 home runs and 78 RBI in 149 games with Texas. He finished with 77 walks which was the most of any Rangers player in 2017. His defense was below average at best, and he finished with a 1.1 WAR.

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If the Rangers want to add a superstar player like Giancarlo Stanton, Yu Darvish, or Jake Arrieta they will likely need to shred some salary. The highest paid players on the Rangers roster are Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus, Cole Hamels, and Choo.

It’s unlikely the Rangers plan on moving any of those players besides possibly Choo this off-season. There won’t be much of a market for Choo unless the Rangers plan to eat some of the salary which would kill the motive.

There is a possibility of Texas moving Choo in a trade that involves big salary. For example if the Rangers acquire Stanton from Miami, part of the return package would involve Choo headed to the Marlins.

Trading Choo this off-season should be on the table for Texas, but good luck finding someone to bite. The Rangers need to add elite caliber pitching, but the payroll could be tight without trading a high paid veteran like Choo.