Texas Rangers May Get Shin-Soo Choo Back in Time for ALDS
Although he isn’t having his best year, Shin-Soo Choo and his on-base skills would be a great asset to the Texas Rangers in the postseason.
With a record of 89-62, the Texas Rangers are the best team in the American League. They may be about to get even better.
According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo may be ready to join the Rangers in time for the ALDS. Choo underwent surgery for a fractured forearm in mid-August, and it was previously believed that he would miss eight weeks.
After joining the Rangers on a seven-year, $130 million deal after the 2013 season, Choo got off to a rough start in Arlington. However, he rebounded in a big way last year, hitting .276/.375/.463 (125 OPS+) with 22 home runs.
This season, Choo, who has also missed time with a calf injury, is hitting .247/.369/.416 (106 OPS+) with seven home runs. It hasn’t been his best season, but the veteran could still provide a boost and fulfill an important role.
The Rangers’ main outfield mix currently consists of Carlos Gomez, Ian Desmond, Nomar Mazara and Delino DeShields Jr. They also have switch-hitting slugger Carlos Beltran, but he has spent the majority of his time as a DH since joining Texas. It is already a talented outfield to say the least.
That said, Choo’s absence has still created a bit of a void. Sullivan’s article contains a quote from manager Jeff Banister in which he describes how the team has missed having the 34-year-old in the leadoff spot:
“[Choo] has been the most consistent leadoff option we would have,” manager Jeff Banister said. “If we can get him back, that would be great. We have seen what he can do in the leadoff spot.”
Despite missing a considerable amount of time, the left-handed hitting Choo has still logged more games in the leadoff spot than any other Ranger this season. Even in his “down years,” he has always managed to get on base at an impressive clip.
For his career, Choo owns a .382 on-base percentage and a 12 percent walk rate. At the very least, he should provide an excellent platoon partner for the right-handed hitting Gomez.
Texas already looks like a team that is ready to make a deep run this postseason. If the Rangers can indeed get Choo back, adding his name to the top of a lineup that currently features Desmond, Beltran, Mazara, Adrian Beltre, Rougned Odor, Jonathan Lucroy and Mitch Moreland should only help. It may just be the perfect tweak in time for October.
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