NYBenzGirl asks…
Is there any chance that the Mets will target and sign Shin-Soo Choo this offseason?
Joe D. replies…
That’s actually a two part question. I have no doubt that the Mets will target a player like Choo, if only to drum up fan interest and create a little buzz this offseason. So yes they will most likely target Choo this Winter and they will leak and source out plenty of interest to their media minions. They may even treat Choo to a nice meal at a four star restaurant in New York City to keep up appearances. He’ll definitely be targeted by the New York Mets as long as he remains unsigned.
That said, the Mets have to be considered long shots to actually win what will be a 6-8 team bidding war for his services. While the Mets keep inferring that they will spend this offseason, you’ll notice they never say how much they’ll spend – only how much payroll has been cleared. It’s a big number and it sounds nice to say we’ve cleared $45 million dollars and the handcuffs are off.
It’s no different than saying the team would be buyers at the trade deadline from May through mid July, only to see them become sellers once again and pulling the rug out from those who took the front office at their word.
While nobody knows the exact situation with regard to the team’s financial wherewithal, they certainly have done nothing to support the notion that everything is okay.
I can give you the typical canned response you’ll read elsewhere and say, “Choo would be a great fit for the Mets” and that “he’s the primary offensive weapon they will sign this offseason.” But reading the tea leaves I see no evidence to support that, only evidence to the contrary.
Even the Houston Astros and their $30 million budgeted payroll will be in on Choo according to Jon Heyman, which should tell you just how much interest the Reds’ free agent will attract.
Scott Boras, who represents Choo, is looking for a $100 million dollar or more deal for his client, and given the dearth of quality outfielders in this year’s free agent crop, he’ll likely get close to $125 million when all is said and done.
What do you think?
Will the Mets sign Shin-Soo Choo this Winter and for how much?
