The Texas Rangers have added another productive bat to their lineup signing free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to a seven-year $130 million contract. The deal is pending a physical.
The deal is $10 million less than the reported 7-year $140 million offer that Choo turned down from the Yankees earlier in the week. However, the lack of state income tax in Texas may mean that Cruz will actually end up with more money at the end of the deal.
Choo is the second big pickup for the Rangers who also acquired Prince Fielder in a trade earlier in the off-season. Choo, Fielder, and third baseman Adrian Beltre should combine to form a potent trio in the middle of the Rangers lineup.
They 31-year-old Choo, hit .285/.423/.462 with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and 107 runs scored over 154 games with the Reds in 2013. His job will be to set the table for the big bats hitting behind him in Arlington.
Choo is expected to replace Nelson Cruz, who is a free agent. Cruz was suspended for 50 games due to the findings in the Biogenesis Performance Enhancing Drugs investigation last season. The Rangers have been unwilling to meet the asking price on their outfielder.
Choo will move from his customary center field position to take over in left field for the Rangers. Leonys Martin will remain the center fielder and Alex Rios will play right field.
The Rangers off-season makeover is aimed at improving a club that has lost out in the AL West to the Oakland Athletics in each of the last two years. The Rangers won 91 games last year, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
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