Super-baseball agent Scott Boras has a new client, Cleveland Indians rising start Shin-Soo Choo. The right fielder, who hit .300 and 20 homeruns last year is part of the Indians grand scheme for the future…maybe. The recent change in representation to Boras from Octagon Worldwide’s Al Nero, may throw a curveball at the Indians chances of locking Choo up at the price they want. Choo is up for arbitration after the 2010 season, and a free agent in 2013.
There is, however, an obstacle standing in Boras’ way to collecting a big payday from Choo. As a native of South Korea, he must serve two years in the South Korean Army before reaching 30 (two years from this July). There are two ways he can get out of this: 1) If his team wins the gold in this November’s Asian Games, or 2) he gains his U.S. citizenship, and its been rumored that he’s studying for the test. Maybe Boras has some pull in the INS? Boras must see that special something in Choo, because he’s willing to take the risk of what two years away from professional baseball might do to Choo’s game.