Airbrushed Fridays: 2014 Topps Opening Day #120

We meet again, old friend.

Who is he? Shin-Soo Choo is an offensively talented outfielder than the Reds tried to stick in center field last season after acquiring him from Cleveland. He responded with his best year at the plate since 2010, but was immediately exposed as a horrible choice for his defensive position. He also, blah blah blah, probably saved some puppies or something.

How did he get here? The Reds were one of three (!) NL Central teams to make the playoffs last year, but they lost the play-in game to Pittsburgh and opted to not really do much of anything in the offseason, including keep Choo around. Texas signed him to a free agent deal and immediately stuck him back in the corner where he belongs.

Repeat offender? Yes

Other versions of this card: 2014 Topps #106 (completely different photo), Pre-Photoshopped Photo

Airbrushed Score: 5

Comments: Let's check out the LeBron-O-Meter in 2014, just because I did it last time for some reason.

Airbrushed Fridays: 2013 Topps Opening Day #66

I have no words. I'll let the internet speak for me...

That about sums it up.

Who is this week's victim, and why do we care? Shin-Soo Choo was a Seattle Mariners prospect who, in the Bill Bavasi era of brilliance, was dealt away before getting much of a chance at the major league level for Ben Broussard. This was just a few weeks after they traded Asdrubal Cabrera away for the services of Eduardo Perez. Both Choo and Cabrera are very productive major leaguers these days.

Why is this a thing? The Reds took part in a super trade involving too many teams and players to recount last offseason, the gist of which meant that Choo would take over CF duties for Drew Stubbs. He's remained very productive with the bat, but his lack of experience at the key outfield position has reared its ugly head defensively. Also speaking of ugly, well, there's this Photoshop thing going on...

Airbrushed Fridays is a weekly feature as the name seems to imply. If you know of a card with an altered photograph that you'd like to see featured, please contact me. You probably won't win anything other than a hyperlink and a front office position with the Mariners, but you never know!