It came down to him liking the Korean BBQ restaurants in Dallas more than those in New York City.
First, as far as I recall, the Yankees "offer" of 7 years/$140 million was never confirmed...It might be possible that NY offered both Ellsbury and Choo their deals at the same time with the intent to sign only one. If that was the case, Choo could certainly have played "hard ball" with the Yanks to get his offer more in line with the one Ellsbury signed.
In any case, it certainly wouldn't be the first time that a team got "Borassed" into making an offer based on what they THOUGHT the Yankees were going to offer.
Next you have to look at his potential role on the team. The Yankees spread out the playing time among all their outfielders last season and look to be doing the same in 2014. Wearing the pinstripes is nice, but Choo still has enough game to deserve his 650-700 ABs a year...not sure if he'd get that on the Yankees.
Finally, with all due respect to the Yankees, their potential lineup looks like an All-Star Team..... from around 2003. A lot of things will have to go very right for them to play to their full potential... but it is more likely that their best lineup never plays more than 30 games together. Meanwhile, the Rangers have youth on their side... Choo will be one of the team veterans for the Rangers as opposed to one of the "youngsters" on the Yankees.
Even with their holes in the OF, the core of their lineup is set with Beltre and Fielder (who played 161 and 162 games last season.... when was the last time A-Rod or Tex were that dependable?). The AL West is up for grabs (as shown in 2013)... This is a team designed for the playoffs. The Yankees are three or four major injuries (and one suspension) away from fielding another "4-A" squad (do you recall those stretches when the NY DH was Jayson Nix?!?)
Even if the Yankee offer was real, Choo's decision to pick Texas was a sound one.
He fancies himself as a center fielder and between him and Ellsbury and Gardner, he doesn't like excess traffic, ever been in gridlock with all of the red lights........ I rest my case. Anymore foolish questions? I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that, I'm not a judge yet. When I am chosen, then I can be an arrogant SOB like other judges.
NY state income tax is higher, he will earn more in TX.
Money. Everything else is secondary.
Because he has dignity, morals and class.
Well, isn't wearing the pinstripe jersey basically every baseball athlete's dream? But I do also acknowledge that Rangers is a very high quality franchise.
Even after putting taxes into consideration, The Rangers' offer was maybe 5m higher than NYY offer.
Maybe Choo was hoping to play for a team where there is less pressure from the fanbase and media?
