Getting Drafted Not Always a Good Thing

There is no shortage of women in the Cleveland area willing to wed Grady Sizemore.

Anyone available for Shin-Soo Choo?

Actually, Choo is already married, to Woon Mi. But if the Indians want to keep Choo -- who last year was second in the AL in OPS after the All-Star break (1.038), they may need to find a way to get him U.S. citizenship (other than an arranged marriage, to which Ms. Mi might object). Otherwise, Choo might miss a couple of seasons, soon, for mandatory military service.

In the past, the South Korean government has used exemptions from service as incentives for athletes in international competition, granting waivers to players whose teams won the Asian Games or Olympics, for example.

But Choo's WBC team finished second to Japan.

"We'll see in the next week to 10 days," said Choo. "There's a little bit of a chance. Not 100 percent."

Choo was one of four players on South Korea's WBC team who still owe two years of military service.

The other members of the team were free from the obligation for winning the gold medal in the 2006 Olympics in China.

"Before the Classic, Korea said no (there would be no exemptions)," said Choo. "So I didn't think about it."

So why would Choo be thinking about it now?

"I heard that South Korea's baseball team might ask the government," said Choo.

... If Choo isn't excused from his military obligation, he could ask for an extension. He could also become a U.S. citizen.

Men age 20-30 must complete two years of service. That seems to mean Choo has to volunteer by his 28th birthday, which is July 13, 2010.

A date to keep in mind if Choo is on your fantasy team. Talk about a trade deadline.