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 Texas Rangers: Shin-Soo Choo
OF Shin-Soo Choo's seven-year, $130 million contract with the
Rangers was finalized when he passed a physical, multiple media
outlets reported Dec. 26. The team reportedly will introduce him to
the media Dec. 27.
Choo likely will take over as the Rangers' leadoff hitter after 2B
Ian Kinsler was traded in the deal that brought in 1B Prince Fielder
from Detroit. While Choo started 150 games in center field last year
in his one season in Cincinnati, he will likely play left field for
the Rangers to join an outfield that includes right fielder Alex
Rios and center fielder Leonys Martin.
Choo batted .285 with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and 107
runs as the Reds' leadoff hitter last season. He also had a .423
on-base percentage, fourth best in the majors in 2013.
___
Free agent: Masahiro Tanaka
RHP Masahiro Tanaka was "posted" by his Japanese team, the Rakuten
Golden Eagles, allowing him to negotiate with all 30 teams in Major
League Baseball. The team that signs him must pay a $20 million fee
to Rakuten.
Tanaka, 25, helped Rakuten win its first Japan Series title last
season. He finished 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in the 2013 regular season.
He won the Eiji Sawamura Award, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy
Young Award, for the second time in three seasons.
According to media reports, teams interested in acquiring Tanaka
include the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles
Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. ___
Arizona Diamondbacks: Daniel Hudson
RHP Daniel Hudson, non-tendered by the Diamondbacks at the contract
deadline, returned to the Arizona organization on a minor league
contract. Hudson, 26, underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2012,
then a second Tommy John surgery in June 2013. He is likely will
miss at least the first half of the 2014 season. ___
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Chicago Cubs: Ryan Kalish
OF Ryan Kalish, non-tendered by the Red Sox in early December,
signed a minor league deal with the Cubs before Christmas.
Kalish, 25, had right shoulder surgery in January, then neck
surgery in August. He did not play in 2013. Over 89 games for
Boston in 2010 and 2012 combined, he hit .243/.293/.351 with
four homers, 29 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. ___
Minnesota Twins: Jason Kubel
OF Jason Kubel returned to Minnesota organization on a minor
league deal before Christmas. According to the Pioneer Press,
Kubel would make $2 million is he is on the major league roster,
and he could earn another $1 million in incentives. Kubel, 31,
hit .167/.348/.222 with no RBIs in eight games with the Indians
after he was acquired from the Diamondbacks in August. Overall
this year, he batted .216/.293/.317 with five homers and 32 RBIs
in 97 games. Cleveland declined his $7.5 million club option.
Kubel played with Minnesota in 2004 and 2006-11, hitting at
least 20 homers in three seasons for the Twins.
___
New York Yankees: Matt Daley
RHP Matt Daley, non-tendered by the Yankees on Dec. 2, rejoined
the organization on a minor league deal before Christmas. Daley,
31, went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in seven games (six innings) for
the Yankees in 2013.
[© 2013 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2013 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
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