MLBTR, a major league trade publication, recently reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates are in “unloading” mode for veteran players, and Choi is one of them.
Pittsburgh was in buyer’s mode earlier this season. They were 20-9 and in first place in the National League Central.
However, as the season wore on, they faltered, and as of today (21st), they are in last place. The idea is to prepare for next season.
“If they don’t rebound sharply after the All-Star break, Pittsburgh will discuss trading veterans to give younger players playing time,” MLBTR predicted.
As MLBTR predicted, Pittsburgh has been giving much more playing time to its prospects since the All-Star break.
Choi has been one of the “victims. He seemed to regain his hitting touch after the All-Star break, hitting home runs and other long balls, but started the last two games on the bench.
As a result, Bucks Dugout predicted on the 21st that Pittsburgh would hold onto Carlos Santana, but that Choi would be traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. The reason given was that Milwaukee first baseman Lowrie Tellez is expected to miss three to four weeks with a finger injury, and designated hitter Jesse Winker is in a severe hitting slump with a .196 batting average.바카라
The outlet explained that only Choi has been hitting well since coming off the 60-day disabled list, with a .261 average.
However, Santana has made it clear that he wants to remain in Pittsburgh after this season, so the Pirates are unlikely to trade the switch-hitter.
The outlet also concluded that 43-year-old veteran pitcher Rich Hill will be traded to the Boston Red Sox.
As a free agent after this season, it would be beneficial for Choi to be traded to a team like Milwaukee where he could get consistent playing time rather than waiting on the bench for the rest of the season. He’ll be more marketable in free agency if he can showcase his talents on a competitive team than on a team that failed to make it to the Fall League.