Indians Deny Rumors on Trading Choo Shin-soo

The Cleveland Indians denied rumors Monday that they will trade Korean outfielder Choo Shin-soo, 28, who is coming off his best season in the majors.

With speculation growing that he will receive a huge pay raise for next season, the team said it has no intent to trade him whatsoever.

Trade rumors flared up due to miscommunication over comments he made upon arriving in Korea for a visit Oct. 10. He reportedly said, “Seeing players on other teams popping open champagne, I wished I was a member of a winning team.”

Pro Sports Daily, a U.S. sports news Web site, said Monday that Choo conveyed his desire to win with Cleveland in reporting his conversation with Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti before the end of the regular season.

Choo hit .300 with 22 homers and 90 RBIs and had 22 steals this season, becoming the first Indian to hit .300, blast at least 20 homers, and steal at least 20 bases for two straight years. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season but is up for salary arbitration in spring.

Cleveland is seeking to sign Choo to a contract of three years or longer.

American media reports say that if he could sign a one-year deal for next season, he could command 3 million or 4 million U.S. dollars and more than 20 million dollars for a three-year deal.

Choo is in Korea and will join his national team’s training camp for the Guangzhou Asian Games from Monday next week.

hanwshin@donga.com