Rangers bolster powerful lineup with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo

The Texas Rangers acquired the missing piece to their powerful offense Saturday by adding former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $130-million contract.

After trading second baseman Ian Kinsler, their leadoff hitter, in a deal to acquire left-handed slugging first baseman Prince Fielder from the Detroit Tigers, the Rangers have plugged the spot with Choo, the 31-year-old veteran, who had a .425 on-base percentage last season when he batted .285 with 112 walks.

The Associated Press and ESPN have confirmed the deal, which was first reported by CBSSports.com.

Choo, like Kinsler, has some speed and power, with 20 stolen bases and 21 home runs last year. He scored 107 runs and drove in 54. In a nine-year career, he’s a .288 lifetime hitter with a .389 on-base percentage.

The Rangers, who made their only World Series appearances in 2010 and ‘11, missed the playoffs when they lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-2, in a tiebreaker for the final wild-card spot last season.

Texas, which at times struggled to score runs last year, and Tampa Bay finished the regular season with records of 91-71. Texas finished five games behind the Oakland A’s in the AL West, which figures to be a tougher division as the Angles and Seattle Mariners continue to upgrade their rosters.

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