GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Shin-Soo Choo hasn’t played very much center field the last few years. He’ll get a chance to win the job during his first spring training with the Cincinnati Reds.
If that doesn’t work out, the Korean outfielder could move to right and let Jay Bruce play center.
The Reds traded incumbent center fielder Drew Stubbs to Cleveland for Choo in the offseason, looking for a stronger bat at the top of the lineup. They haven’t had a consistent leadoff hitter for years.
Choo avoided arbitration with a one-year, $7,375,000 deal. The club was interested in a multiyear deal, but Choo wanted to take it one season at a time in Cincinnati. Top prospect Billy Hamilton is expected to take over as the center fielder and leadoff batter at some point.
