The Pittsburgh Pirates are having an early start to their offseason, as they are already making moves.
They decided to bring in a veteran first baseman as they try to put together the best possible lineup.
“The #Pirates acquire 1B Ji-Man Choi from the #Rays,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
The #Pirates acquire 1B Ji-Man Choi from the #Rays.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 10, 2022
Choi, a 31-year-old lefty hitter, is known for his excellent on-base skills.
He had been with the Tampa Bay Rays for four-and-a-half years, as the team greatly appreciated his ability to work walks and moderate power.
The Rays only traded him because he was expected to get a sizable raise via arbitration.
A small-market club, it’s not the first time Tampa gets rid of a useful player because of that and it won’t be the last.
To acquire him, the Pirates traded right-handed pitcher Jack Hartman.
Choi Will Have A Prominent Role In Pittsburgh
Choi’s salary was expected to increase to the $5 million range according to projections and calculations, so it is believed the Rays were shopping him around.
The Pirates are actually a good opportunity to him because he will get to play against most or all right-handed pitchers.
He is also expected to be a middle-of-the-order producer, given the fact there is not much talent in Pittsburgh’s lineup.
Choi slashed .233/.341/.388 with 11 homers and 52 RBI in 419 plate appearances during the 2022 season with the Rays.
According to wRC+, which adjusts offensive performance to external factors such as era or ballpark and tells us if a hitter is above or below-average, Choi was comfortably better than his peers with an 115 mark last season (100 is considered league-average performance).
He has a 116 career wRC+, too, so that speaks of his offensive talent.
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