By Cesar Tordesillas

Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland Indians should seriously show their desire to entice outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to sign a long-term deal with the team, according to his agent Scott Boras.

"I think the ownership in Cleveland, foundationally, they're going to have to illustrate some dynamics with new revenues and where they stand about what they are going do to show their fan base and their players who they are in competing," Boras said.

"That's a new calling that they are going to have to bring forth to give players, and everybody involved, [an idea] about what their intentions are in their ownership," Boras added.

The 30-year-old Choo is entering the last year of his contract with the Indians. He could earn a salary of $7-8 million range for the 2013 campaign through the arbitration process.

Aside from signing the outfielder to a long-term deal, the Indians also have an option to trade Choo rather than get nothing in return if they fail to reach an agreement for a contract extension.

Last season, Choo hit .283 (169-for-598) with 43 doubles, two triples, 16 homers and 67 RBI. He scored 88 runs, stole 21 bases and was a finalist for the Gold Glove award.

In the past five years, Choo has hit .291 with a .384 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage. He has an average of 16 homers, 30 doubles and 69 RBIs per season during that span.

At the end of last season, Choo expressed his intention to stay with the Indians for 2013 and beyond.

"I want to stay here," Choo said. "But it's not that easy. The team makes the decision. If the team says, 'Go,' I'll go. But I hope I can come back here. Yeah, next year, I want to come back."

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said the team also wants to retain the services of Choo but haven't been able to reach a common ground for a long-term deal yet.

"We have, on numerous occasions, looked to try to extend Choo's stay in Cleveland," Antonetti said. "We've looked to extend his contract. We just haven't been able to reach an agreement."

Antonetti did not see the need to respond to Boras' criticism of Cleveland's way of doing things.

"I don't think we really need to react to that," Antonetti said. "We obviously have to conduct business the way we think it makes sense for the franchise."

 

 

Indians Need to Show They Want Shin-Soo Choo