Shin-Soo Choo headed to Rangers: 7 years, $130 million

Bob Nightengale | USA TODAY Sports

Shin-Soo Choo has agreed to terms on a seven-year, $130 million deal with the Texas Rangers, taking the final impact hitter off the free agent market and completing a potent offseason makeover in Arlington.

Two people familiar with the negotiations confirmed Choo's agreement with the Rangers. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.

Choo had turned down a seven-year, $140 million offer from the New York Yankees before the Yankees agreed to terms on a $153 million deal with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

But Choo's deal with the Rangers might have a greater value for him given there is no state income tax in Texas.

Choo's agreement was first reported by CBS Sports.

Choo will give the Rangers a daunting middle of the lineup as he teams with third baseman Adrian Beltre and first baseman Prince Fielder, acquired from the Detroit Tigers last month.

Choo, 31, spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds, where he batted .285 with 21 homers and 107 runs. But his most marketable skill is his ability to get on base; Choo posted a career-best .423 on-base percentage last season, and he has a lifetime .389 OBP, an attribute that typically ages better than speed or power.

His acquisition likely counts the Rangers out of other major bidding wars, such as a potential derby for Japanese star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, should his club in Japan decide to post him. Even if the Rangers stand pat, they will want for little.

They'll boast an athletic outfield of Choo -- who will move from center field to left field -- Leonys Martin and Alex Rios.

The infield of Fielder, second baseman Jurickson Profar, shortstop Elvis Andrus and Beltre might be baseball's finest combination of power and defense, Fielder notwithstanding. And a rotation fronted by Yu Darvish gives way to a deep, if somewhat untested, bullpen.

Their offseason makeover comes after the club was beaten out for the American League West title the past two seasons by the Oakland Athletics; in 2013, the Rangers won 91 games but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009.