Talk about bolstering the lineup in a hurry. It's still four days before Christmas, and about two months before Spring Training. Considering how many moving pieces have already factored into the offseason equation, it feels like we're playing a speed game of Checkers.
Hello, Prince and Choo. Adios, Ian Kinsler, Joe Nathan, David Murphy (and likely Matt Garza and Nelson Cruz).
I don't want to say JD had to make this move, but it was important when you take into account the outlook of the AL West for 2014:
- Seattle made a tidal wave splash by recently signing Robinson Cano to a 10-year deal for an outrageous $240 million. As dumb as that was in the long-term, Seattle will certainly be more competitive in the next few years with the pitching trio of Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and up-and-coming prospect Taijuan Walker to complement Cano.
- Oakland, against all odds, is the two-time defending division champ and deserves respect. They lost Bartolo Colon and Grant Balfour, but picked up Scott Kazmir and Jim Johnson. They don't need to do much else. They're going to be good again.
- Anaheim is the sleeping giant that you pray does not put it all together, or the rest of the league is in trouble. If Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols stay healthy and their starting rotation is merely competent, this is a contending team.
Finally, there's the Rangers, fresh off missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Sure, Texas won 91 games, but it had glaring holes. The offense finished seventh in on-base percentage and runs, and routinely failed to connect with runners in scoring position. With starting pitching and bullpen depth secured for 2014, JD knew exactly what area to address this offseason. Get a bopper (Fielder) and go after a dude who can get on base (Choo).
Of course, risk factors into any seven-year deal, particularly with a 31-year old. I don't like how the back end of the contract is going to look, at more than $18 million per season, but it's a "cross-that-bridge-when-we-get-there" sort of approach. The AL West could be the best division in baseball next season. To win the division and contend for that elusive World Series, a move like this makes total sense. Check out this lineup:
1. Sin-Shoo Choo, OF
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Prince Fielder, 1B
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Alex Rios, OF
6. Mitch Moreland/Michael Choice, DH
7. Leonys Martin, OF
8. Geovany Soto, C
9. Jurickson Profar, 2B
If Profar develops quickly, I wouldn't mind seeing him in the 6 spot. This is a significantly more talented lineup than last season.
Let's get to Choo. Here's why I like the deal: Choo is an on-base machine. That's why he needs to hit leadoff. He sported a sexy .423 OBP last year, fourth in the MLB behind only Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto and Mike Trout - all elite players. Think about this: The highest OBP from a Rangers regular last year was Beltre at .371. Kinsler was next at .344.
And then there's this staggering nugget: Choo walked 112 times in 2013, trailing only former teammate Votto (135) in all of MLB. The Rangers leader in walks last year? Andrus with 52. Yikes. Fielder, for reference, walked 100+ times from 2009-2011, so the two offseason acquisitions should instantly increase the number of ducks on the Ranger pond.
I haven't watched Choo play enough to notice his defense, but he's supposed to have a cannon arm from the corner spot. He'll be an upgrade defensively over Cruz.
Spring Training can't get here soon enough. I think my favorite part of the Choo signing is that the Rangers outbid the Yankees by offering less money (Choo reportedly turned down a seven-year, $140 million deal from New York). Here's to no state income tax.
And here's to the Rangers making serious noise with this bolstered lineup in 2014.
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