It’s no secret that Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is on the trading block.
The Red Sox are reportedly one of the teams interested in acquiring the outfielder’s services and have been reportedly brainstorming packages to acquire Choo and/or Justin Masterson. But in order to focus on his last year before free agency –– and the likelihood of switching teams –– Choo has elected to skip the World Baseball Classic, according to FOXSports.com.
The 30-year-old’s absence will be a big blow to South Korea, who made it to the finals in 2009 before falling to Japan in the finals in 10 innings. He was the lone major league player on the South Korean team.
Choo, who is represented by Scott Boras, contributed key home runs en route to leading South Korea on its magical run. His presence also sparked South Korea to the semifinals in 2006.
Last season, Choo belted 16 home runs and added 67 RBIs while batting .283. He was also a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in right field, but was beaten out by former Red Sox outfielder Josh Reddick.
But Choo will use the rest of the offseason to relax and focus on baseball. If he does wind up in Boston, the decision could be a blessing in disguise for a club that was plagued by injuries in 2012.
