Long-term deal for Shin-Soo Choo coming this winter?

28-year-old outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is coming up on his first year of arbitration eligibility this off-season and he could see his contract balloon from $461,100 to anywhere between $2.5 million and $3 million, according to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. With that, it's possible that Choo and agent Scott Boras could go after a long-term deal this winter.

When Boras was asked last week about going to arbitration or signing a multi-year deal, he said, “Things have a way of working out with the good players.”

Choo is under team control until after the 2013 season, and his $461,100 – well below the market value for a guy that has hit .300/.392/.491 in five seasons with the Indians.

It was speculated that Boras and Indians were going back and forth over several multi-year contracts before the season started, but the deal never completed. With arbitration possible this winter, at least Boras and Choo will have a little more leverage to command a long-term deal and keep the outfielder in Cleveland.

The Indians have made it public that they want to keep Choo.

“We're going to look at those options at the end of the year,” said Chris Antonetti, the Indians' incoming general manager. “We see Choo being here for a very long time.”

One hurdle that Choo and the Indians may have to face is Choo's military obligation to South Korea. He has to serve two years of service before he's 30. He's going to play for South Korea in the Asian games, and if the team wins gold, he could be released from his military obligation.