November 26, 200322 yr 1. Hee Seop Choi, 1b Age: 24. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 240. Signed: Korea, 1999. Signed by: Leon Lee. Background: Choi became the first Korean position player to sign with a major league team when he agreed to a $1.2 million bonus in March 1999. He homered in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 1998 World Championships in Italy?as a 19-year-old?and hasn?t stopped hitting since arriving in the United States. He led the Arizona Fall League in homers in 2000, then was waylaid in 2001 by severe inflammation in his right hand. Healthy again last year, he was one of the most dangerous hitters in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and made his major league debut in September. Choi played only sporadically because Bruce Kimm was more concerned with Fred McGriff becoming the first big leaguer to reach 30 homers with five different teams. Choi did launch his first two big league homers, then starred in the AFL again after the season. Strengths: The top power hitter in the system, Choi launches balls to all fields. He shortened his swing a little last year without sacrificing any pop. Even better, he?s more than just a one-dimensional slugger. He hits for average because he combines the ability to make adjustments with patience at the plate. Choi led the PCL in walks last year. He initially struggled against lefthanders but conquered them in Triple-A. For his size, Choi moves very well. The Cubs believe he?ll be a solid-average to plus defender at first base. Weaknesses: Because he?s big and has some uppercut to his swing, some PCL observers questioned Choi?s ability to hit inside fastballs, and whether he?d be able to do damage against quality pitching rather than just feast on mistakes. Others pointed to his approach and ability to use the entire ballpark. Choi will have to watch his body carefully. He still has work to do defensively, particularly with his footwork and receiving skills. The Future: The Cubs traded for Eric Karros in the offseason, but that was more about exchanging bad contracts than consigning Choi to the bench. Choi and Bobby Hill should man the right side of Chicago?s infield for years to come. They?ll ease into starting roles in 2003, with Karros and Mark Grudzielanek serving as insurance. :thumbup
November 26, 200322 yr I like the fact that he can hit to all fields. That little post makes me feel a bit better about having Choi.
November 26, 200322 yr Author My bad, didn't realize it was already posted. The more I look at this trade...the more I cannot believe the Cubs made this move. The have seemingly spent money on a position of strength while neglecting so many other needs. I hope Beinfest has a few more of these type of moves up his sleeve. :hat
November 26, 200322 yr My bad, didn't realize it was already posted. The more I look at this trade...the more I cannot believe the Cubs made this move. The have seemingly spent money on a position of strength while neglecting so many other needs. I hope Beinfest has a few more of these type of moves up his sleeve. :hat I wouldnt call Karros, Kelton or Simon a strength
November 26, 200322 yr Signed by: Leon Lee. :lol Derek Lee's dad Hence the " :lol ." BTW: It's Derrek.
November 26, 200322 yr I wouldnt call Karros or Simon a strength. Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go...
November 26, 200322 yr Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go... Randall Simon was a Marlin? :lol
November 26, 200322 yr I wouldnt call Karros or Simon a strength. Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go... Even Simon admits he can't be an everyday player.
November 26, 200322 yr Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go... Randall Simon was a Marlin? :lol Maybe for a sausage race :unsure :
November 26, 200322 yr Simon is a good player...Cubs had no need to trade for Lee but they are idots.They gave us a player full of upside for a player the Fish were despret to dump to due his salary. Thank you Cubs Idiotic GM and Thank You Beinfest!!!
November 26, 200322 yr I wouldnt call Karros or Simon a strength. Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go... Even Simon admits he can't be an everyday player. i think you mean Lenny Harris
November 26, 200322 yr I wouldnt call Karros or Simon a strength. Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go... Even Simon admits he can't be an everyday player. i think you mean Lenny Harris No Simon said that. I am not Willis#1, Pubes or whitecracka
November 26, 200322 yr Yeah, it was 2000. Link April 5, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the Florida Marlins. May 8, 2000: Released by the Florida Marlins. He spent that whole time in Calgary.
November 26, 200322 yr I wouldnt call Karros or Simon a strength. Simon is a pretty damn good player... I can't believe Florida let him go... Even Simon admits he can't be an everyday player. i think you mean Lenny Harris No Simon said that. I am not Willis#1, Pubes or whitecracka i dont believe Randall Simon would say that link?
November 26, 200322 yr I don't think any player (unless brutaly injured) would admit he can't play everyday. Every player wants to play as much as possible, and if they get the chance, they won't do anything to compromise it.
November 26, 200322 yr It seems all the depth that the Cubs had in their farm system is slowly getting pillaged. I dont know why they made that deal with us - Lee is going to be a fine 1B for them for years, but they could have waited it out while Choi developed. Unless they just dont project him to be the impact player they once thought - but that is ridiculous after only 252 career ABs. I like Choi a lot, I cant wait to see him in action - he is going to strike out a lot, but he is going to get it right a lot too. He seems to be, at worst, Derek Lee part II. Not bad considering we had to deal Lee or lose him. Beinfest is quite a GM.
November 27, 200322 yr As long as we are discussing what Baseball America says of Choi, why don't we look at what Baseball America said about the trade, specifically Jim Callis: I like Choi, but the deal makes sense for the Cubs. They have money to spend, and they know exactly what they're getting in Lee. I understand it from the Marlins' end, too, as they're looking to control costs and have a surplus of corner infielders. From what we can gather, the player to be named is not significant, despite what Florida GM Admin Beinfest said. Adding Lee shouldn't hamper the Cubs financially, so they can still do whatever they feel they need to do. They're one of the few clubs willing to add payroll right now. Lee could hit 40 homers now that he's out of Pro Player Stadium. The only negative is that the Cubs lineup is very righthanded now. I still think Choi will become a good big leaguer, but he probably won't start for Florida this year. Basically, he thinks it was good for both clubs. Choi is no proven talent however. Derrek Lee will have even better statistics in Wrigley Field and playing in stadiums like Pro Player, Busch, Minute Maid, will also improve his statistics. Choi will probably not ever be as all around good as Derrek has been the past few years, especially now that he is in a pitcher's park. This trade all comes down to if the Cubs can lock up Lee long term. If they can, then this trade will be a good one. If not, well it won't be. The Cubs were high on Choi. See: Bobby Hill, Ruben Quevedo, etc., etc., Don't get me wrong. I think Choi will be good. How good is a toss up though. A risk Hendry didn't want to take. So, I applaud you Jim, for actually doing something, and not sitting still, ala 1985, 1990, and 1999. I wouldn't expect the PTBNL to be anyone who will even be missed by the Cubs. Jim Callis on Baseball America agrees with me as well.
November 27, 200322 yr Signed by: Leon Lee. :lol Derek Lee's dad Hence the " :lol ." BTW: It's Derrek. Won't have to worry about that anymore now will we.
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