SSH2005 Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 According to ESPNews, the Red Sox have claimed Hee-Seop Choi off waivers from the Dodgers. It was bound to happen one of these years. Rather than carry Choi initially, the Red Sox will probably option him to Triple-A and wait and see what kind of starts Kevin Youkilis and J.T. Snow get off to. It'll be the same deal as with Roberto Petagine last year, though we hope Terry Francona is a little more open-minded about letting Choi into the lineup. By June or July, maybe the 27-year-old will get a chance to take aim at the Pesky Pole. Since he's making just $750,000, it's a great roll of the dice for the Red Sox. Great pickup for Boston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I can't believe he fell all the way to the Red Sox. Why does noone like this guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 (edited) QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Mar 24, 2006 -> 04:20 PM) I can't believe he fell all the way to the Red Sox. Why does noone like this guy? Because he's Borch with a better eye basically. He has a GREAT batters eye though and a lot of power, so he will be around for a while. Problem is when he makes contact, it's usually home run or popout, he's a dead pull hitter, he can't hit lefties, can't run, and can't field. I could see it end up being him and the Greek God of Walks as the 2 1B on Boston though. Edited March 24, 2006 by whitesoxfan101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 24, 2006 Author Share Posted March 24, 2006 (edited) Because he's Borch with a better eye basically. He has a GREAT batters eye though and a lot of power, so he will be around for a while. Problem is when he makes contact, it's usually home run or popout, he's a dead pull hitter, he can't hit lefties, can't run, and can't field. I could see it end up being him and the Greek God of Walks as the 2 1B on Boston though. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Choi is actually a pretty good fielder at 1B. I don't really see him being much like Borchard. If Borchard could put up anywhere near a .349 OBP, we wouldn't have traded him. Edited March 24, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 24, 2006 -> 10:23 PM) Because he's Borch with a better eye basically. He has a GREAT batters eye though and a lot of power, so he will be around for a while. Problem is when he makes contact, it's usually home run or popout, he's a dead pull hitter, he can't hit lefties, can't run, and can't field. I could see it end up being him and the Greek God of Walks as the 2 1B on Boston though. Borch with a better eye is just, not Borch at all. He's a lh hitter with power who gets on base. And he almost falls through waivers. His average the last two years has been .250, not awful by any stretch. Just look at his hitting chart -- he's not in any way, shape, or form a "dead pull hitter". In his ML career, he's had 82 abs against lhp. That's nothing. But even there, though he hasn't hit, he's still been able to get on base. As for the fielding, he looked fine when he was with the Cubs. I think it's mostly that, if you are a high profile prospect with some team and then get shipped out, you're labelled a bust. But since Dusty won't play anyone below 32 without a court order, you're basically f***ed if you come up with the Cubs now. Slip up for one week and you're benched indefinitely. There are so many teams ahead of the Red Sox that could have used Choi. Just dumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 24, 2006 Author Share Posted March 24, 2006 There are so many teams ahead of the Red Sox that could have used Choi. Just dumb. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Choi does have some big holes in his swing, just like Borchard, but I still think it's a poor comparison as well. By the way, why in the HELL didn't the Reds claim Choi?!? Scott Hatteberg? WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 (edited) QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Mar 24, 2006 -> 04:46 PM) Borch with a better eye is just, not Borch at all. He's a lh hitter with power who gets on base. And he almost falls through waivers. His average the last two years has been .250, not awful by any stretch. Just look at his hitting chart -- he's not in any way, shape, or form a "dead pull hitter". In his ML career, he's had 82 abs against lhp. That's nothing. But even there, though he hasn't hit, he's still been able to get on base. As for the fielding, he looked fine when he was with the Cubs. I think it's mostly that, if you are a high profile prospect with some team and then get shipped out, you're labelled a bust. But since Dusty won't play anyone below 32 without a court order, you're basically f***ed if you come up with the Cubs now. Slip up for one week and you're benched indefinitely. There are so many teams ahead of the Red Sox that could have used Choi. Just dumb. He's 27 and this is his 4th team, that is dangerously close to bust territory. However I will say this, Choi has some tools that you can't teach and for him to almost pass all the way through waivers is pretty silly. As for the Reds, I'm not sure but when Choi would have passed them on waivers I think would have been before the Arroyo trade, when they had Dunn at 1B and Pena, Grifffey, and Kearns in the OF. Edited March 25, 2006 by whitesoxfan101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 25, 2006 Author Share Posted March 25, 2006 The reason I'm so surprised that no other team claimed Choi is that he's only making $750,000 this season. He would be worth claiming as a backup 1B alone at that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 10:05 AM) Choi does have some big holes in his swing, just like Borchard, but I still think it's a poor comparison as well. By the way, why in the HELL didn't the Reds claim Choi?!? Scott Hatteberg? WTF? Yeah, Wayne Krivsky's just got enormous man love for Scott Hatteberg right now. Choi would have been handy as a platoon partner at least for them. Even a team like Florida who needs bats in the worst possible way, could have picked him up. Glad a team like Cleveland didn't get him though. But Choi won't be the only first baseman we'll see moving teams soon. The Tiggies most likely aren't going to keep Carlos Pena, and IIRC, he's out of options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 12:18 AM) He's 27 and this is his 4th team, that is dangerously close to bust territory. However I will say this, Choi has some tools that you can't teach and for him to almost pass all the way through waivers is pretty silly. As for the Reds, I'm not sure but when Choi would have passed them on waivers I think would have been before the Arroyo trade, when they had Dunn at 1B and Pena, Grifffey, and Kearns in the OF. I think of a bust as someone who has poor production, and he's played fairly well the last couple years. And in his time with the Cubs, he looked like a ROY candidate before the injury. From a stats perspective he looks good, from a tools perspective he looks good. I just don't get it. Also, let me 2nd what SSH said -- he'd fit with a lot of teams as a backup 1b at that price. Not saying there are a lot of places he could start, but he should have been picked up before he got to Boston. The Reds are one. The Royals -- how can a team composed of such utter crap, with nothing in the pipeline, pass on Choi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 25, 2006 Author Share Posted March 25, 2006 Also, let me 2nd what SSH said -- he'd fit with a lot of teams as a backup 1b at that price. Not saying there are a lot of places he could start, but he should have been picked up before he got to Boston. The Reds are one. The Royals -- how can a team composed of such utter crap, with nothing in the pipeline, pass on Choi? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Because they signed Dougie Mient-alphabet. He has quite the future ahead of him!!! The Royals are retarded. They keep signing washed-up bums instead of playing and adding younger players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Mar 24, 2006 -> 07:08 PM) I think of a bust as someone who has poor production, and he's played fairly well the last couple years. And in his time with the Cubs, he looked like a ROY candidate before the injury. From a stats perspective he looks good, from a tools perspective he looks good. I just don't get it. Also, let me 2nd what SSH said -- he'd fit with a lot of teams as a backup 1b at that price. Not saying there are a lot of places he could start, but he should have been picked up before he got to Boston. The Reds are one. The Royals -- how can a team composed of such utter crap, with nothing in the pipeline, pass on Choi? I agree with all of this, but at the same time your making my point. He was once a top prospect in the game, and now he's a 27 year old on his 4th team who can't start for anybody who doesn't suck. That's not a total bust, but it's a significant underachiever. With that said, he can play some ball so for him to fall that far on the waiver wire is pretty bizarre. If I were somebody like Cincinnati or Kansas City or hell, even Minnesota....I'd take a flier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 12:19 PM) Because they signed Dougie Mient-alphabet. He has quite the future ahead of him!!! The Royals are retarded. They keep signing washed-up bums instead of playing and adding younger players. There's no doubt Justin Huber should be starting for them at 1B this season. But Allan Baird's trying to save his own ass, and not think about the long - term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 04:04 AM) There's no doubt Justin Huber should be starting for them at 1B this season. But Allan Baird's trying to save his own ass, and not think about the long - term. It may be that he's just got a dumb plan. I believe he thinks a lot of these guys will bring him all those prospects he's incapable of drafting or finding in Latin America, at the trade deadline. Redman might net him something, but the others, nothing. Though with Reggie Sanders, God knows what he was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santo=dorf Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 24, 2006 -> 07:30 PM) The reason I'm so surprised that no other team claimed Choi is that he's only making $750,000 this season. He would be worth claiming as a backup 1B alone at that price. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What does this say about Choi as a player to the stathead community? Are 27 GM's so stupid to let him pass through the waiver wire? Hee Flop is a s***ty player. I don't care about his OPS+. When did the Red Sox get a 50 man roster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 12:52 AM) What does this say about Choi as a player to the stathead community? Are 27 GM's so stupid to let him pass through the waiver wire? Hee Flop is a s***ty player. I don't care about his OPS+. When did the Red Sox get a 50 man roster? Well done. Choi=Borch with a batters eye. And i'm standing by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 Choi's swing is just so brutal that it would really be hard for him to ever be a real productive everyday first baseman. That being said, he's a very good defender with a bit of pop, not horrible as a backup imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 24, 2006 -> 08:19 PM) Because they signed Dougie Mient-alphabet. He has quite the future ahead of him!!! The Royals are retarded. They keep signing washed-up bums instead of playing and adding younger players. LMAO, points for humor and originality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 Doesn't he have to go through AL teams first before NL teams get a crack at him since he was released by an NL team? If that's the case, that's a pretty good reason why the Reds wouldn't have picked him up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 05:37 PM) Doesn't he have to go through AL teams first before NL teams get a crack at him since he was released by an NL team? If that's the case, that's a pretty good reason why the Reds wouldn't have picked him up. I'm not sure if the rule still applies, but I think it works (worked?) the other way -- all teams in the same league have priority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santo=dorf Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Mar 25, 2006 -> 12:37 PM) Doesn't he have to go through AL teams first before NL teams get a crack at him since he was released by an NL team? If that's the case, that's a pretty good reason why the Reds wouldn't have picked him up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The same league gets first crack. Loser NL teams get the first crack, and yet a team with the second best record in the AL got him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 25, 2006 Author Share Posted March 25, 2006 (edited) I was just looking at the N.L. rosters and I may have found the answer to why Choi slipped through waivers past the entire N.L. Right now, Choi looks like a decent backup first baseman or possible platoon partner with a right-handed first baseman but almost every team in the N.L. has a lefty starting or backup first basemen already on their roster. This is likely why no N.L. team claimed Choi. N.L. East Braves -- Adam LaRoche (lefty) Phillies -- Ryan Howard (lefty) Marlins -- Mike Jacobs (lefty) Mets -- Carlos Delgado (lefty) Nationals -- Nick Johnson (lefty) N.L. Central Cardinals -- Albert Pujols (righty) / Chris Duncan (lefty) Astros -- Lance Berkman (switch) / Mike Lamb (lefty) / Jeff Bagwell (righty) Brewers -- Prince Fielder (lefty) Cubs -- Derrek Lee (righty) / John Mabry (lefty) Reds -- Scott Hatteberg (lefty) / Adam Dunn (lefty) Pirates -- Sean Casey (lefty) N.L. West Padres -- Ryan Klesko (lefty) / Adrian Gonzalez (lefty) Diamondbacks -- Conor Jackson (righty) / Tony Clark (switch) Giants -- Lance Niekro (righty) / Mark Sweeney (lefty) Dodgers -- Nomar Garciaparra (righty) / Olmedo Saenz (righty) Rockies -- Todd Helton (lefty) Edited March 25, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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