The Korean Baseball Office contacted GM Chris Antonetti on Friday night about Shin-Soo Choo's military exemption.
View full sizeThe Indians no longer have to worry about the long-term availability of Shin-Soo Choo, as the right fielder was released from his military obligations in South Korea following his country's victory in the Asian Games.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said the team received confirmation Friday night from the Korean Baseball Office that right fielder Shin-Soo Choo received a military exemption after South Korea won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China last week.
Antonetti, in a text message, said he still hadn't talked to Choo to confirm if he'd received official word. Choo is still traveling in Asia.
South Korea, with Choo's help, beat Taiwan, 9-3, Friday to win the gold medal. Choo, who had two hits and two RBI in the title game, hit .571 (8-for-14) with three homers, 11 RBI, two steals and five walks overall.
All South Korean men are required to serve two years of military service before they're 30. Choo, 28, was running out of time. One way for Korean athletes to avoid military service is to win a gold medal in certain international events.
The Indians never seemed overly concerned about Choo's status. They believed if the matter couldn't be solved on the diamond or diplomatically, Choo would establish residency in the United States.
The gold medal victory takes care of that problem.
This will be the first off-season Choo is eligible for arbitration. He made $461,100 last season and will be due for a large raise. The Indians and Scott Boras, Choo's agent, have discussed a multiyear deal. The Indians are in control of Choo's contract for three more years before he's eligible for free agency.
Fangraphs.com, in a story projecting how much Choo will be worth in arbitration this winter, said $6 million. Following the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Fangraphs.com said Choo would be worth $9 million and $11 million, respectively, for a three-year total of $26 million.
If Choo opted for security, and signed a three-year deal that carried him to his free agent year, the total would probably be less.