MLB Trade Rumors: Shin-Soo Choo Would Provide Major Boost for Pirates Lineup
Shin-Soo Choo is not a superstar, but he'd be a welcomed addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup. Rob Biertempfel of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweeted:
"#Pirates still checking in on #Indians OFChoo. Price likely would include Marte.
โ Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) July 29, 2012"
The Pirates have dealt for pitching help in the form of Wandy Rodriguez, and now to become more serious threats down the stretch, and hopefully in the postseason, they must find a bat.
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All things considered, Choo may be the best option available. He's hitting .295 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI and he also has 11 stolen bases. Choo could step in at either corner outfield spot, and he would provide the Bucs with more punch than either Garret Jones or Alex Presley.
Biertempfel suspects that dealing for Choo would cost the Pirates the young and promising Starling Marte.ย
But that may just be the type of sacrifice necessary to maximize on this opportunity to contend. Marte could become a future star, but he is also naturally a center fielder.
That is certainly not a position of need. Andrew McCutchen is my choice for NL MVP up to now, and he has the position on lock. It's possible Marte would never get an opportunity to shine with the Pirates anyway.
McCutchen could move to a corner outfield spot, but I think he adds something special where he is.
The only question here is whether the Pirates want to hold Marte as a trade chip for a bigger deal down the road.
Choo can't be a free agent before 2014, so it wouldn't be a rental of his services. The Pirates would be securing a solid bat in their lineup for the remainder of this season, and all of next season.
Dealing for Choo makes sense, even if it costs them Marte.
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