Shin-Soo Choo has re-signed with the SSG Landers of the KBO for 2022, per Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News. The deal is worth 2.7 billion won, or around 2.3MM in US dollars, just a hair below what he made in 2021.
After sixteen consecutive seasons in MLB, Choo signed a one-year deal to return to his native South Korea for the 2021 season. At the time, Choo said he had larger offers to stay in North America, but turned them down because he wanted to play in front of his family.
It had been rumored last week that the 39-year-old was planning on making a return to the majors, though that was later contradicted by a report that Choo was either going to retire or return to KBO for one more year. It seems he has taken the latter option and will play at least one more season. It may not be a full season, however, as Yoo’s report of the signing notes that Choo has recently undergone elbow surgery and isn’t guaranteed to be ready by spring training 2022.
Choo played 136 games for the Landers in 2021, hitting .263/.409/.450, with 21 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
Milwaukee-2208
Good lord thank god
Thought the Brewers might kick the tires on this one…
CubsWin108
you guys could’ve used some offense…
Milwaukee-2208
yes true
and you guys could use a roster
Chipper Jones' illegitimate kid
@FormerlyCubs108 Ice up, son
I Like Big Bunts
None of “you guys” have anything but an Internet connection, kids.
The Mets "Missed WAR"
Choo is a multi-billionaire just like Steve Cohen. Talk about inflation. So 1,000 won is worth less than a dollar and 10 won is worth less than a cent? I wonder if they make individual 1 won currency. Imagine how many you would have to carry around if you needed more than 10 for every penny you wanted to spend.
Deleted_User
@FormerlyCubsWin108
mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/trevor-story-to-reject-…
Looks like someone forgot to tell Trevor Story he was supposed to accept the qualifying offer LOL
Monkey’s Uncle
Happiness and success to Choo this season and beyond. He’s always been fun to watch and from all accounts I’ve ever heard is an all around great guy.
tstats
Choo had 25 SB speed??
LordD99
Maybe in Korea!
More seriously, he stole over 20 bases a season in four of five years during his peak MLB seasons, and as recently as 2019, was successful 15 out of 16 attempts.
el jefe
Everybody on here seems to clown on Choo because of his defense, but offensively he was actually really good. You look at his career OPS+ of 122, that’s damn near elite. I never understood why a team didn’t just sign him to be a full-time DH.
Chipper Jones' illegitimate kid
Isn’t that what Texas basically did?
Polish Hammer
He had a cannon for an arm, just no baseball IQ. I remember one game it was very late into a no hitter and this genius was going after a fly ball very lazily and playing the carom off the wall. Head was often not in the games with base running as well.
Monkey’s Uncle
I guess that he does against KBO catchers, at any rate. Good catch though, that is eye-opening. Choo used to steal around 20 bases per MLB season in his heyday; he always struck me as more of a good base runner than base stealer, if that makes any sense.
paddyo furnichuh
It does, Goldie is.another example. Average or below average speed, but base stealing is more about timing the pitcher’s delivery.
Rangers29
Choo was a surprisingly good baserunner even in his later years with Texas. That and his incredible on base ability was why he hit lead-off for us till his departure.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
He was so fast he ran right out of his Choos
mlb1225
Choo really isn’t all that fast. His average sprint speed was only 25.9 feet/second (bottom 28th percentile), which is well below the average 27 Feet/second mark. Seems to just be a good mix of both smart and aggressive base running. He knows when he can take advantage of a slow wind-up/delivery, even in the stretch, and overall good instincts.
cj-6
Dear god. I saw 2.7 billion and almost dropped my phone
bledrules
I saw the 2.3 billion and I was like what the ^%#
bravesfan
He’s an obp machine.
James A.
That man getting that squid games money
JeffreyChungus
Omg guys real life is just like Squigame!1!1!
mlb1225
Squid Game fans when they see a Korean person.
Ham Fighter
Looks like he landed back on the landers