Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The baseball world is going to see and hear this phrase a lot in the next few days: The Texas Rangers got their man. A few days after Shin-Soo Choo turned down a seven-year offer from the New York Yankees, he agreed to a contract worth $130 million of the same length with another AL powerhouse that has made moves this offseason that suggest it’s not satisfied with its disappointing finishes to recent seasons. Put simply, the addition of Shoo should prevent another one in 2014.
Ever since Nelson Cruz was suspended as part of the Biogenesis scandal, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has been looking for a new slugger to replace Cruz in Texas’ outfield. To say he found one is an understatement, especially considering Choo has been the Rangers’ top free agent target this offseason.
After spending six and a half years in Cleveland, Choo batted .285 while hitting 21 home runs in 2013 with a Cincinnati Reds team that underachieved in most folds’ eyes, although some Dusty Baker advocates would argue the opposite. Regardless, everyone knew Choo was just a rental when he was traded to Cincy in December of 2012, but the fact he turned down a seven-year deal with the Yankees to sign a similar one with the Rangers is yet another sign (see Cano, Robinson) that New York is no longer the No. 1 landing spot among big-name MLB free agents, but that’s another Rant.
In the grand scheme, this move instantly makes Texas the favorites in the American League if it was already after the Ian Kinsler-Prince Fielder trade. Rangers fans should be ecstatic about this signing and the 2014 season to come with Choo starting in the Texas outfield.
Jeric Griffin is the General Manager for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JericGriffin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
