Reds acquire Choo and Donald from Indians

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced acquisition of leadoff hitter and CF Shin-Soo Choo, IF Jason Donald and cash from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for CF Drew Stubbs and SS Didi Gregorius.

"It was very difficult giving up home-grown talent, but we think Choo can fill the missing parts in our lineup both offensively and defensively," Jocketty said. "He is an exciting player, and we expect him to set the table for Phillips, Votto, Bruce, Ludwick and the rest of our run producers."

Jocketty said of Stubbs, who helped the Reds win National League Central Division titles in 2010 and 2012, "We appreciate the contributions Drew made to our two championships. We wish him nothing but success in Cleveland."

In his 8-year Major League career, Choo has produced a .289 batting average and a .381 on-base percentage. In his career as a leadoff hitter, Choo has a .307 average and .386 on-base percentage that includes marks of .300 and .374 when leading off an innning.

Choo, 30, in 155 appearances last season for the Indians hit .283 with 43 doubles, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 88 runs scored as the club's Hank Award Award nominee. He ranked among the American League leaders in runs, hits, doubles, on-base percentage and multi-hit games, and his .327 average against righthanders was the seventh-best mark in the AL. Choo's .389 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot ranked third in the league, while his .373 overall on-base percentage ranked 10th.

Choo and Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers were the only players in the Major Leagues in 2012 with at least 40 doubles, 15 homers and 20 steals. Choo joined Roberto Alomar and Grady Sizemore as the only players in Indians history to reach each of those statistical marks in a single season.

Donald, 28, has appeared in 170 games for the Indians over the last 4 seasons. He has made 73 career appearances at SS, 68 at 2B, 16 at 3B and 7 in the outfield.

Stubbs, 28, last season for the Reds hit .213 in 136 games. Gregorius, 22, spent last season at Class AA Pensacola and Class AAA Louisville before making his Major League debut with 8 appearances for the Reds.