In a nifty little snag that could pay big dividends for the 2006 Sox and beyond, Boston claimed Hee Seop Choi off of irrevocable waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Choi, something of a SABR-darling, has never fully been trusted with a full-time role and in all likelihood will not see full-time duties here. Not yet, at least. He has shown the ability to absolutely pound the baseball but does not come without questions. He has struggled famously against southpaws, and Dodger fans will be quick to point out the “holes in his swing.” He struggles with fastballs on the inner half and can look silly when he is behind in the count and the hurler has him where he wants him. C’est la vie, I say, when you are dealing with a relatively young player that has not been afforded an opportunity to work such things out. He is 27, sports a career 107 OPS+, has hit righties at a .253/.357/.461 clip since 2003 in some of the most spacious parks in baseball and has good hands at first.

Here’s the rub. Last season the Red Sox also employed a foreign first baseman who could really hit, had a shaky defensive reputation and for one reason or another had seemingly been blackballed by the “baseball men” from coast to coast. Management never found a role for Roberto Petagine, who was blocked by lesser players in Kevin Millar and John Olerud. Unfortunately, although the characters have changed, a similarly frustrating experience could very easily unfold.

Right now, Hee Seop Choi hits righthanded pitchers better than any corner infielder the Red Sox have. For what it’s worth, ZIPS has Choi at .251/.358/.461 this season and PECOTA has him at .264/.364/.490, and those projections have him playing home games in Dodger Stadium. He should play every time a righty takes the hill and either Kevin Youkilis or Mike Lowell, probably Lowell, should be relegated to the short end of a right/left platoon with Choi. But you and I both know that this won’t happen, not to start the season as it should and probably not even all that soon after. That’s because not only are Lowell and Youkilis in place but Choi is also going ot have to leap frog J.T. Snow, who, if not altogether useless at this point in his career, is damn close. Snow is eminently likeable, a class act by all accounts with a good glove who will be happy in whatever role he plays with the Sox. Terry Francona, if he hasn’t already, is going to fall head over heels for the guy. I can see it now…the Boston media has a new Korean to poop all over, and a crappy veteran has the potential to block not only Choi, but also Kevin Youkilis. It could be a long, long season for Red Sox fans that acually take the time to understand the game.

On the other hand, it could be a gloriously enjoyable year if the bench parts are used optimally. This is shaping up as just a wonderfully deep and resourceful roster. If Wily Mo Pena gets every at bat he ought to and Hee Seop Choi every plate appearence he should see, then this Sox team is going to be just a bear to deal with. But if Terry Francona and Sox management eschew the two youngsters with worlds of potential for the aging trio of declining veterans, Mike Lowell, J.T. Snow and Trot Nixon, then the Sox are going to leave a good amount of runs and wins on the table.

Your move, Tito.