Trading Choo seems inevitable for Indians

One of the decisions the Cleveland Indians will have to make in the next year involves outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who has been their most effective offensive player. Choo leads the Indians in virtually every offensive category except RBI.

The 30-year-old left-handed hitter is hitting .284 with a .368 on-base percentage and .470 slugging percentage. He also leads the team with 14 home runs, and his 35 doubles leads the team and ranks third in the American League.

It's been a nice bounce-back season for Choo, who had the worst year of his career last season, when he missed about two months with a broken thumb. Unfortunately for Choo, he hasn't gotten much notice for his outstanding 2012 season, mostly because the Indians have fallen out of the Central Division race.

But Choo will be a player on whom Indians officials are going to have to make a decision in the next few months. Choo can become a free agent after the 2013 season, and his agent is Scott Boras. Put the two together and the Indians know that Choo will enter the free agent market after next season.

The question, therefore, for the Indians is when, not if, they will trade him. It could happen before the end of August. It could happen during the offseason. Or it could happen at any time next year, but no later, it would seem, than the trade deadline next year.

Choo's name was mentioned at the trade deadline this year, but the Indians decided to keep him. It seems likely, however, that the team will continue to explore trade options for Choo in the coming months, knowing that he otherwise will be gone as a free agent after the 2013 season.