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Despite less than 24 hours passing since the Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven-year deal, the team remains in talks with free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. The Yankees believe they have the ability to bring in another big name offensive player and a starting pitcher with the money they have left to spend and they've been interested in Choo based on rumors throughout the offseason.
Andy McCullough of the Star Ledger believes that the Yankees would be interested in inking Choo to a deal if they lose out on Robinson Cano. Choo would allow them to shift Alfonso Soriano to a DH role or trade Brett Gardner, who will be a free agent after the 2014 season. The Yankees had been focused on the trio of Carlos Beltran, Choo, and Ellsbury, preferring Beltran to the others at first. When the Royals decided to up their proposed agreement with Beltran to three years, the Yankees looked elsewhere.
Ellsbury became the top target over Choo because of the team's concerns about Choo's splits against left-handed pitchers and preferring Ellsbury's ability to play good center field defense in case Gardner departs after next season. McCullough says that the team values Gardner and doesn't want to trade him, but the possibility remains an option if they end up with Choo instead of Cano.
Choo hit .285/.423/.462 in 154 games with the Reds last season with 21 home runs on the year. He'd be able to provide some needed power in the lineup if the Yankees cannot come to an agreement with Cano this offseason.
Do you think it's worth it for the Yankees to pursue Choo?
