Back in March, I wrote about Cleveland Indians’ outfielder Shin-Soo Choo switching from Octagon to Scott Boras, and his impending service in the South Korean Army.  As a South Korean-native, the 28-year old Choo was slated to spend two years in the national Army before reaching 30.  However, after winning the gold medal in last week’s Asian Games with his national team, South Korea has rewarded Choo by rescinding his military requirement.

The Indians and Boras are definitely winners alongside Choo in this decision.  Shin-Soo is one of the Indians best talents, and his stock is certainly rising.  Last year Choo hit .300 and 90 RBIs (top 15 in the American League in both), and 22 homeruns and stolen bases.  Indians manager Manny Acta called Choo “one of the best players in the majors right now.” For Boras, taking the risk that one of his rising stars will have to spend two years in the military, away from the game, has paid off.  Unlike many other Asian players, Choo did not play professional baseball outside the United States.  After being selected as the MVP in the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship, Choo signed a contract with Seattle Mariners.

New Indians GM Chris Antonetti has said that working out a long-term deal for Choo is a team priority.  Choo made $461,100 last season, and is eligible for salary arbitration before the start of the 2011 season.  His contract has three more years left on it, but Boras will certainly work to get a substantial raise for his client via arbitration, and look towards a lucrative, possibly long-term deal for Choo.

Choo Staying For Good, Boras Wins Out from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

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.

Scott Boras Is All Aboard The Shin-Soo Choo Train from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Sports Business

• Think you have what it takes to run Darren Rovell’s blog over at CNBC? [Write My Blog Contest--Your Chance To Blog Right Here!]
• Divorced athletes and their child support options [Negotiating The Professional Athlete’s Child Support Obligations].
• Something makes me think endorsers are just going to love this new column…[Endorsement "Fraud" Central].
• Peyton Manning, Derek Jeter, and Dell Computers? [CAA hired to upgrade Dell].

NFL

• They want $100 million collectively for the use of their likeness [More than 2,000 former players sue NFLPA].

NBA

• After all the Redick speculation, he remains a part of the Magic [Magic pick up option on guard Redick].
• No matter where you go overseas, the people sweat Kobe [Dwyane Wade’s jersey drops in popularity in Europe].

MLB

• Michael Brantley was recently acquired by the Cleveland Indians in the C.C. Sabathia trade.  His agent, Josh Kusnnick spoke about the trade and life as an agent in a recent radio interview [Smoke Signals].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Since getting traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, CC Sabathia has gone 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA and pitched 3 complete games.  The Brewers have been streaking forward to claim the top spot since acquiring Sabathia.  Seems like a great trade for Milwaukee even if it is only a three-month, million dollar rental.

Peters and CC are entitled to $11 million this year from his contract with the Indians that Milwaukee took over not long ago.  He only signed a contract until the end of the 2008 season and will be on the open market again after the Brewers finish the season.  For the Brew Crew, it could be a short rental to help them get to the playoffs for the first time since 1983.

Sabathia has been playing great since his trade and has shown teams why they need to pick him up next year.  Leading Milwaukee to the post season for the first time in a long time would make Brewers fans happy enough, but a great showing in the post season would make CC and his agent a lot more money in next year’s contract.

Johan Santana could be considered an equally important pitcher to his team.  CC’s agent, Brian Peters should be in the position to ask for at least as much as Santana signed for this past season with the Mets ($137.5 million in six years).  CC did win the CY Young last season and is also a great hitter at the pitcher position.  Before he was traded to Milwaukee, he was leading all NL pitchers in RBIs (7), hits (12), batting average (.300, minimum 25 plate appearances), and slugging percentage (.475).  Whatever team is fortunate enough to pick up CC should be thinking about paying him in the range of $140 million plus for about 4/5 years.

The Indians offered him a 4-year extension worth $72 million that he turned down.  He is obviously going to get more than that now; maybe even double after his play the past two years.  Ryan Braun and others are hot right now, and the Brewers look like serious contenders.  Sabathia and Ben Sheets are a solid pitching duo and the team knows how to hit. If Sabathia wins another CY Young and Milwaukee wins the World Series, imagine the hand that Peters could be playing with in front of MLB owners and GMs.

The only thing his agent could be worried about is that he is throwing a lot of pitches lately (3 complete games), and might get tired towards the end of the season. On the other hand, Sabathia is looking very tough right now and will be earning the big bucks no matter what. As I said in the title, who wouldn’t want to be CC Sabathia’s agent at this great time?

Who Wouldn’t Want To Be CC Sabathia’s Agent? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules