I think expectations for Choo were set so high that people are relatively blase about him getting $130 million, but it still should be said that this is the worst contract given this offseason, in my opinion by quite a bit, and the Rangers will almost certainly regret this in the very near future. To demonstrate, lets play everyone's favorite game, compare Player A with Player B. Here are Oliver's projections of two outfielders next year:
Player A: .274/.391/.435, -.1 Fld, .3 BsR, 4.7 WAR, 31 yrs old
Player B: .262/.337/.347, 16.6 Fld, 2.3 BsR, 4.4 WAR, 30 yrs old
Obviously these are very different players - Player A provides considerably more offense, but that's pretty much all he provides, as whatever speed he offers is offset by his low SB success rate and even with a predicted rebound in his defensive profile he's still below average. Player B on the other hand provides so much value with his defense and speed that even with his ok at best offensive ability he projects as approximately Choo's equal. And not just for 2014 either. Here's projected value over the next 5 years:
Player A: 4.7, 4.5, 4.1, 3.7, 3.4
Player B: 4.4, 4.3, 4.2, 3.9, 3.5
Overall player A projects to be worth 20.4 wins over the next 5 years. Player B projects to be worth 20.3 wins.
Player A is 2014 Rangers RF Shin Soo Choo.
Player B is 2013 Rangers RF Craig Gentry.
The Rangers spent almost $20 million more and it's not clear they even upgraded the position. All of which to say that if you are a corner outfielder who doesn't play good defense and can't get his speed to work for his team and you don't really hit for power, then you really aren't that valuable a player. Choo may be Manny without the power, but since almost all of Manny's value was located in his power that isn't saying very much. Choo is also Pedro Martinez without the ability to pitch.