The Dodgers have officially entered the Shin-Soo Choo sweepstakes, according to Tim Brown. I have been speculating this a bit at my other home for about a week now. It’s interesting that with the trade deadline just about 28 hours away the Dodgers are covering every possible scenario, kicking the tires on almost every impact player available, but Choo is probably the best position player available to acquire via trade right now.

Choo, 29, is batting .291/.378/.484 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. An addition of Choo to the Dodgers lineup would give the Dodgers one of the most formidable lineups in all of baseball. Dodgers Owner Mark Walter said he wants to build a Dodgers team that nobody wants to play. A trade for Choo would certainly help make that mold. Of course this move would also displace James Loney as the starting first baseman, as we would likely see a lot more of Juan Rivera at first base the rest of the way.

Buster Olney says it will take a “perfect offer” to land Choo, who is under team control until 2013. Choo is making $4.9MM in 2012 and will likely make somewhere around $7.5MM through arbitration this winter.

With the Indians wanting a good major-leaguer for Choo, it’s time to let the speculation begin. I am thinking it would take Chad Billingsley or Javy Guerra to get Choo. Guerra could take over closer duties for the Indians should the Tribe decide to deal Chris Perez. We could also see a combination of Zach Lee and Josh Lindblom get thrown in to the mix as well. This is a fascinating scenario to watch, perhaps the Indians front office will throw us a bone after we gave them Carlos Santana for Casey Blake back in 2008.