CINCINNATI -- The Mets got a firsthand look Monday night at why they should at least seriously consider making a run at pending free-agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo for next season.
The first-year National Leaguer almost personally dismantled the Mets in a 3-2, 10-inning Reds win, going 3-for-6 with a double, two runs batted in -- including the game-winner off left-handed pitcher Sean Henn -- and a stolen base.
If Choo, who is represented by Scott Boras, is thinking about cashing in during the offseason on his impressive 2013, he isn’t showing it, preferring instead to focus on the first pennant race of his life.
“I can’t do anything about it, so I just play every day,” said Choo, who’s been everything the Reds hoped he would be when they acquired him from Cleveland in a three-team trade last December. “It’s different. When I played with the Indians, when it was September, we were never thinking about the playoffs. You were thinking about next year. Now, it’s a different season. It’s fun.”
Reds manager Dusty Baker has had just as much fun watching the man he respectfully refers to as “Mr. Choo.” Baker is especially pleased with his center fielder’s run production -- not just scoring them, which he’s done 105 times, but also driving them in, to the tune of 54 RBIs from the leadoff slot.
“If my leadoff man can have 50 RBIs and 100 runs at the end of the year, he’s going to be very, very productive in our league,” Baker said.
