Texas Rangers trade feature: Is Shin-Soo Choo gone by July 31st?

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 23: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Texas Rangers hits an RBI ground-rule double against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning of the game on June 23, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Shin-Soo Choo has emerged as one of the top hitters in MLB this season. Yet, age and an unappealing contract hurt his value. Will the Texas Rangers be able to move him?

Shin-Soo Choo has stolen the show for the Texas Rangers over the last month. He is now the franchise’s leader in consecutive games reaching base with the streak at 48 to date. The 48 mark is the longest in MLB this season. Choo was also just crowned his first All-Star selection in his impressive 14-year career. He is the first ever Korean position player to be elected to an All-Star team.

Without a doubt, the 35-year-old veteran is keeping his team relevant on the national scale in 2018. Unfortunately, he may be changing teams very soon.

Choo has two years remaining on his 7-year, $130 million contract with the Rangers. He is owed a vast $42 million over that span. The Shin-Soo Choo contract has been crippling to an organization that is gradually seeing its team transition into rebuild mode.

Fortunately for the Texas Rangers, Choo’s recent stellar play might just offer a way out of the unwanted contract. Will a potential trade partner pickup the full $42 million? Absolutely not. However, any discounted pay would put a grin on GM Jon Daniels’ face. After all, there was a point in time when Shin-Soo Choo seemed untradable.

Now what are the chances Choo is traded? Who might want him? And what kind of return could Texas see in exchange for him?

ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 20: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Texas Rangers hits double in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 20, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /

Likelihood Choo is traded: 90%

Shin-Soo Choo has been playing out of his mind lately. In June, he hit .347 with a .466 OBP. He also slugged .621 and earned an OPS of 1.087. He’s continued the remarkable stretch into July, hitting .375 with a .444 OBP and a 1.153 OPS over six games. Oh, and he hasn’t gone a game without reaching base since the middle of May!

Choo’s performance is well beyond the “streak” phase. His ability to reach base has literally become an everyday occurrence and he’s hit well over .300 for more than two months. What team would not want in on Shin-Soo Choo?

Yes, he spends most of his time as a designated hitter, but he can certainly still hold his own in the outfield. Choo’s arm strength remains better than league average and he has plenty of outfield experience to still be familiar with routes and awareness. Thus, he is up for sale to both American League and National League contenders. A number of contenders should be able to find room for the on-base machine that is Shin-Shoo Choo.

Of course, the trick will be his contract. Any team that acquires Choo will have him for at least two seasons. But they won’t be paying his full salary. Texas will have to decide on how much of the remaining $42 million they are willing to eat. Choo has been so good this season that a team may be willing to pickup half of it, maybe even a little more. Though, in their bargaining efforts, the Rangers will have to prioritize either prospect return or salary offloading.

Some way, some how, a deal will get done. Choo is too desirable to stay in Texas. He will be moved, it’s just a matter of where…

Who wants Shin-Soo Choo?

Cleveland Indians?

A return to Cleveland for Choo seems possible. Aside from Michael Brantley, the Indians have seen very little production from their remaining outfielders. There isn’t much of a need for Choo at the top of the order, but he could add depth towards the bottom. He would fit very well in the leadoff role; however, that role is currently held by Francisco Lindor.

Choo would make any offense better, but it’s tough to say offense is a true need for a Cleveland team that ranks 5th in MLB in runs scored. Though, perhaps the Texas Rangers could solidify a deal by tossing in one of their top relief pitchers. The Indians have the worst bullpen in baseball this season and the Rangers have one of the best. We’ll see if anything gets done with Cleveland, but there certainly seems to be some fits.

Arizona Diamondbacks?

The Diamondbacks are still searching for a solution in right field. After being traded to Arizona this past offseason, Steven Souza has played in just 19 games this year. He has not played well in his few chances and a contending Diamondbacks team doesn’t have much luxury to determine whether or not Souza can hold his own as the season narrows.

They acquired outfield Jon Jay for some assistance; however, he is not a player of great impact. If the D’Backs want a player of impact then they should acquire Shin-Soo Choo. Choo will help inflate the 22nd-ranked .310 team OBP for Arizona. His gap-to-gap power will also play well in a large Chase Field outfield.

The Diamondbacks have a very good starting rotation to go along with the best bullpen in MLB. What they need is an additional impact bat to help strengthen their lineup. That bat is carried by Shin-Soo Choo.

Yes, Souza is under team control through 2020. But Arizona is playing to win now. Choo will help them win now; they can figure out the outfield surplus once the offseason hits.

Seattle Mariners?

The Mariners have a middle of the road offense. While they have played very well without Robinson Cano, there is no doubt they miss his lineup presence. Dee Gordon has taken over at second base in Cano’s absence. Thus, center field has become an area of weakness for Seattle. They could also use some help in left field. Denard Span was acquired earlier in the year to play left. He has done okay, but there are definitely better options out there.

Shin-Soo Choo, for example. Choo is probably not a center field candidate, though, the Mariners could shift Mitch Haniger over from right field. Nelson Cruz is Seattle’s DH and perhaps the best DH in all of baseball. Therefore, Choo would have to play one of the outfield corners regularly.

Choo could contribute anywhere from first to seventh in the Seattle lineup. Dee Gordon is a great player; however, Choo is a better leadoff hitter. He could set the table for the big bats in the middle while producing great power of his own at the top of the order.

ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 2: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Texas Rangers makes contact for a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Globe Life Park September 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images) /

What would Shin-Soo Choo bring back to Texas?

As I mentioned earlier, the Texas Rangers will have to determine whether dealing Choo is more about acquiring young talent or alleviating a financial burden. They won’t achieve both, no matter how well Choo is playing.

Pursuing prospects seems like the obvious choice given the fact that the Rangers are entering a rebuild. Is it obvious, though?

Remember, the organization intends for the team to contend by the time they move into their new stadium in 2020. Opening up $21 million on the payroll could help Texas land a big time free agent for the 2020 season. Allocating that money to a notable free agent would be much better than paying it to a 37-year-old Shin-Soo Choo.

The Indians, Diamondbacks and Mariners offer more in the money department than the prospect department anyway. None of those team rank in the top half of MLB in payroll in 2018, but they all rank in the bottom half in farm talent.

Choo has been one of the best players in baseball over the last two months. With that said, his age and his contract are working against him. He won’t warrant the kind of return that his numbers would imply, but he’s definitely worth a couple of decent prospects. Either that or a cut-down salary burden for the Texas Rangers.

Next: Should the Rangers pursue Clayton Kershaw?

Keep a look out for a package deal with Cleveland. Choo and Keone Kela would be tough to deny as a combo. Or, watch for Choo going to Arizona over the next two and a half weeks.

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