A couple throw away seasons turning into sustained long term success...........

[chibears55]

"That's too far away," Shin-Soo Choo told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times in reference to questions about the Reds outfielder's future. Choo, 30, is eligible for free agency after the season, the rare quality player who has resisted multiyear offers and simply compiled his six years of service. He is currently tied for the MLB lead with 36 runs scored, and he's third with a .455 on-base percentage. The early success has elevated Choo to the #2 spot on our 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings, behind only Robinson Cano.

Agent Scott Boras was quick to sing his client's praises, commenting to Kepner, "The amazing thing about his career is that he’s been hidden. Even in an off-year, his on-base percentage is .350. He’s got a career .386 on-base percentage and an O.P.S. that’s .856. Go around the league and find an outfielder who has, essentially, 15-homer power and an .850 O.P.S. Couple that with a .290 average — that’s rare air." Choo's career OPS ranks 26th among active players and fifth among active outfielders. Ryan Braun, Matt Holliday, and Josh Hamilton are locked up, while Carlos Beltran will turn 37 early in his next contract.

The one knock on Choo has been his struggles against left-handed pitching. He batted .239/.329/.318 against them from 2010-12, with the worst of it coming last year. Through 212 plate appearances this year, Choo's splits have been even more extreme. He's hitting .368/.510/.684 with nine home runs in 151 plate appearances against righties, and .146/.317/.188 in 61 plate appearances against lefties. Choo has been below-average defensively this year in center field. He's naturally a corner outfielder, but it remains to be seen if he can play average defense once he returns to right field.

The Mets should make a strong attempt to sign Choo after the season, suggests Kepner, and when asked about the possibility by John DeMarzo of the New York Post, Choo at least wouldn't rule it out. Of course, as with most free agents, Choo's next contract will cover post-prime years, perhaps age 31-35. With Boras doing the negotiating, we can't rule out a sixth year or a salary in the $18-20MM range, plus the loss of a draft pick. The last thing the Mets need is another large, regrettable contract just as those of Johan Santana and Jason Bay expire; the big question is whether Choo will age gracefully

 

[SilenceS]

"That's too far away," Shin-Soo Choo told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times in reference to questions about the Reds outfielder's future. Choo, 30, is eligible for free agency after the season, the rare quality player who has resisted multiyear offers and simply compiled his six years of service. He is currently tied for the MLB lead with 36 runs scored, and he's third with a .455 on-base percentage. The early success has elevated Choo to the #2 spot on our 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings, behind only Robinson Cano.

Agent Scott Boras was quick to sing his client's praises, commenting to Kepner, "The amazing thing about his career is that he’s been hidden. Even in an off-year, his on-base percentage is .350. He’s got a career .386 on-base percentage and an O.P.S. that’s .856. Go around the league and find an outfielder who has, essentially, 15-homer power and an .850 O.P.S. Couple that with a .290 average — that’s rare air." Choo's career OPS ranks 26th among active players and fifth among active outfielders. Ryan Braun, Matt Holliday, and Josh Hamilton are locked up, while Carlos Beltran will turn 37 early in his next contract.

The one knock on Choo has been his struggles against left-handed pitching. He batted .239/.329/.318 against them from 2010-12, with the worst of it coming last year. Through 212 plate appearances this year, Choo's splits have been even more extreme. He's hitting .368/.510/.684 with nine home runs in 151 plate appearances against righties, and .146/.317/.188 in 61 plate appearances against lefties. Choo has been below-average defensively this year in center field. He's naturally a corner outfielder, but it remains to be seen if he can play average defense once he returns to right field.

The Mets should make a strong attempt to sign Choo after the season, suggests Kepner, and when asked about the possibility by John DeMarzo of the New York Post, Choo at least wouldn't rule it out. Of course, as with most free agents, Choo's next contract will cover post-prime years, perhaps age 31-35. With Boras doing the negotiating, we can't rule out a sixth year or a salary in the $18-20MM range, plus the loss of a draft pick. The last thing the Mets need is another large, regrettable contract just as those of Johan Santana and Jason Bay expire; the big question is whether Choo will age gracefully

I just dont see it. Boras is talking him up and maybe a team will go like that for 4 years, but for 6. No way. He would be 37 when his contract expired and he isnt a big power guy. Sure, he walks but he doesnt even have much speed and he shouldnt be playing a prime position. Someone gives him that then they are nuts. I dont know how his value would be that much more over Bourn.

 

[chibears55]

silence, i agree.. i think at best he a pretty good no. 2 hitter he a .290-.300 with some pop and decent speed..

not a very good defensive player in CF, and because he has little pop not exactly your prototype Rfer so he kind of a tweener..

i think the reds will try and hold him for 3-5 yrs maybe add a couple options in there, otherwise i just dont see a team either going too far in years with money for what he has to offer offensively.. i also think he going to be that player that a team shies away from because of having to forfeit a 1st Rd draft pick, which could also mean the reds may have some leverage to bring him back if they choose

 

[Beyer Fan]

agree 100%

 

[kchicub08]

Are you another person who believes everyone should agree about every topic?

 

[kchicub08]

I see you aren't...

What's next? The jerk store called and they are out of you?

Grow up

 

[kchicub08]

Holy Cow.. another one here to enlighten us .. LOL

Not sure what that means... Just want to talk baseball and MIGHT have a different point of view.... sorry

 

[Willrust]

It sure is a clown statement.

One that you have made repeatedly.

As you have repeatedly argued against the signing of any high price FA that has been brought up seeing as you claim the majority of the contract would be wasted until the team was ready to compete.

Your words, that all of the CBS people can verify.

Glad to see that you admit to posting a clown statement! READ FORREST, READ! There is a giant difference between "not signing ANY FA" and "not spending hundreds of millions of dollars on 1 OR 2 FA's". The only FA's that I have argued against signing were Pujols, Hamilton, Nick Swisher, Edwin Jackson, Eric Chavez and Kevin Youkilis! I was never against the Cubs signing Fielder, I was against signing Fielder to a 8, 9 or 10 year deal! They reportedly had negotiations with him for over a month before moving on to Rizzo. I was for the Cubs going after Yu Darvish (which they did) and I was also for the Cubs going after Cespedes (which they did) and Soler (who they got). I also commented several times about the Cubs pursuing Michael Bourn to a short term deal. I have commented on this board about the Cubs pursuit of Robinson Cano and it being a positive thing for the Cubs if they can keep it to a 7 year deal.

Perhaps you need to be tested for Alzheimer's or Andy Pettitte's disease, cause you are having real issues with misremembering.

 

[Willrust]

What fun would a message board be if everyone was a sheep who agreed with everyone else?

I truly don't get that logic.

Some of us just feel(KB'S boys if you must) you can rebuild and reload simultaneously.

We ultimately blame the Ricketts family overall but just don't think Theo should get an entire free pass to put marginal talent out on the field with top five revenue..

Call me crazy I guess

Do you seriously not remember the Jewish slurs against Epstein from day one? This was coming from the guy that was all for giving Milton Bradley a chance.

 

[kchicub08]

Do you seriously not remember the Jewish slurs against Epstein from day one? This was coming from the guy that was all for giving Milton Bradley a chance.

I don't feed into the slurs as you say..... i am the most anti religious guy ever and just want to talk baseball.

I don't care if Epstein is an alien, just want the team to be successful.

 

[Willrust]

I just dont see it. Boras is talking him up and maybe a team will go like that for 4 years, but for 6. No way. He would be 37 when his contract expired and he isnt a big power guy. Sure, he walks but he doesnt even have much speed and he shouldnt be playing a prime position. Someone gives him that then they are nuts. I dont know how his value would be that much more over Bourn.

Just like Jayson Werth. Nobody in their right minds thought he was "werth" a 100M deal and he got 127M! And because of that deal, Boras has someone to compare his players to now.

 

[KBisBack!]

MOVE ON from them if they insist on telling you no they can win without doing that cause all it is is a revolving door of stupid arguments..

OR you can just continue and be the message board ASSCLOWN

Or you can not whine and argue and try and defend things that you don't agree with and weren't meant for you instead of expecting the world to change for your behalf.

Or you can just continue to be a whiny little message board *****

 

[KBisBack!]

But thats your own extreme interpretation of what was said, much like how your interpretation of "rebuilding mode" and "sustained success" were extreme.

Your subjective opinion is that my interpretations are extreme.

Many find them to be very reasonable.

Deal with it while you slap all the other sheep on the back about how great it is losing 100 games in a season because it gained you 1 top 100 prospect.

 

[KBisBack!]

Not sure what that means... Just want to talk baseball and MIGHT have a different point of view.... sorry

That is not allowed here.

Only sheep congratulating each other on how great the #TheoSpankfest is.

 

[KBisBack!]

The only FA's that I have argued against signing were Pujols, Hamilton, Nick Swisher, Edwin Jackson, Eric Chavez and Kevin Youkilis! I was never against the Cubs signing Fielder, I was against signing Fielder to a 8, 9 or 10 year deal!

So you only argued against any of the free agents that were actually worth signing??

Glad we cleared that up.

While you turn around and defend to the death the mediocre moves that were made.

Great job.

 

[KBisBack!]

Do you seriously not remember the Jewish slurs against Epstein from day one? This was coming from the guy that was all for giving Milton Bradley a chance.

I have never once used any religious slurs.

But that has never stopped you from lying before.

 

[Willrust]

Or you can not whine and argue and try and defend things that you don't agree with and weren't meant for you instead of expecting the world to change for your behalf.

Or you can just continue to be a whiny little message board *****

 

[Willrust]

I have never once used any religious slurs.

But that has never stopped you from lying before.

Perhaps that was Salami. I forget which one of your personalities said what.

But, why don't you fill us in on any moves from Epstein or Hoyer that you have liked and applauded them for. We are all waiting with baited breath. Go ahead, you can swallow your pride and give the Jewish kid some credit.

I mean, you have completely written him off having a hand in the Red Sox championships, and continue to give most of the credit to Dan Duquette for leaving him with a stacked team. You also write off Andy McPhail from having much to do with the Cubs or the Orioles, but continue to give loads of credit to Jim Hendry and Dan Duquette, again!

 

[Willrust]

So you only argued against any of the free agents that were actually worth signing??

Glad we cleared that up.

While you turn around and defend to the death the mediocre moves that were made.

Great job.

Your precious Orioles didn't sign any of those players, how did they do?

As to me defending moves, all I have ever done is try to explain why moves were or were not made (Feilder: contract is too long given his obesity, Pujols: Contract was wwwwaaaayyyy too long, Jackson: Bad track record at Wrigley, Chavez: history of back issues & 700 AB in previous 5 years, Youkilis: downturn of career and likely only wanted to play for contender, Hamilton: likely never considered playing for the Cubs, Swisher: chose to play with his hometown team to end his career, Zambrano: had to go and teams were not beating down Cubs door for him, Ramirez: Cubs offered what they thought was reasonable for his expected future performance & waited until after he signed with Brewers before trading for Ian Stewart). There is my rationale. What is your rationale for railing Cub front office for Paul Maholm signing, then for trading a "valuable" piece? What is your rationale for railing Rizzo for being unproven and credit to Cashner for 5 starts this year? What is your rationale for railing the Cubs for trading Sean Marshall?

 

[Willrust]

The only consistency that KB has shown is that he hates every single move from Cub management, and doesn't even like any of the Cub players (except for except for a select few they want to trade or have already traded [Soriano, Dempster, Maholm {post trade}]). I mean you have chastized Barney, DeJesus, Rizzo, Castro, Wellington Castillo, Wood, Feldman, Villanueva and Jackson. Not to mention all of the prospects that you have taken a shit on in the Cubs system by calling them lottery tickets and not being worth other team's star players. And you wonder why people question your Cub fandom? Would you take a shit on Ernie Banks? He never lead the Cubs to the World Series either!