As first reported by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Phillies put in a call to the Texas Rangers to discuss Michael Young, although talks were considered “brief.”
Young has announced his displeasure with the Rangers organization for dangling him in a trade after assuring him he was part of their future. That, in addition to signing or trading for multiple players that would take his place, including third baseman Adrian Beltre and catcher/DH Mike Napoli.
The call made by the Phillies to inquire about Young is nothing more than a team doing their “due diligence,” which has become the chic term from the mouth of Ruben Amaro. With somewhat of a need for a right handed bat with some pop, making the call for the perennial All-Star was a no-brainer. However, it’s not surprising nothing came of it.
Young, 34, is owed $48 million over the next three seasons; a healthy number for someone that age. That’s an annual average of $16 million, or roughly $10 million more than starting third baseman Placido Polanco is owed. At this stage, Young’s defense is lacking and would not be considered an upgrade over Polly, who is also 34.
Yes, Young has some pop in his bat, as evident by the 21 home runs he hit last year. But no one is sure is trading away Joe Blanton and more is worth another aging star.
If you’re asking my opinion here, the answer is no, it is not. I’ve been one of Michael Young‘s biggest fans on the east coast. Always enjoyed that sweet swing and the consistency he’s provided the past decade in Texas. At this stage in his career, however, that salary, added to an already bulging payroll in Philadelphia, makes little fiscal sense.
If this were last offseason, before the Polanco signing, then maybe you’d sway me. Right now, there’s nothing to see here.
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