MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Michael Young Deals That Make Sense
Ever since the Rangers pulled off the improbable and landed Michael Young, the team’s longest tenured player has been the subject of multiple trade rumors, as he has lost his position in the Rangers lineup.
Young is considering moving to DH or second base to help the team, but some think it is inevitable he is traded for prospects or in a salary dump.
Here is a list of ten possible trade destinations for Michael Young:
The Toronto Blue Jays
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The Blue Jays currently have John McDonald at third base, and Michael Young would make for a substantial upgrade.
The Blue Jays had an already elite farm system before dealing Shaun Marcum, so they definitely have the bullets to get Young. If they parted ways with some of their top tier prospects, they could probably get Texas to pay a lot of his salary.
Injecting Young into a lineup that already include Vernon Wells, Jose Bautista, Adam Lind, and Edwin Encarnacion would give them one of the top offenses in baseball, and a chance to compete against the weakened Yankees for the Wild Card.
The Chicago White Sox
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The White Sox typically like to add sluggers through blockbuster moves, and look for top of the order hitters elsewhere. However, Michael Young would be excellent batting in the two-hole in front of Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and Carlos Quentin.
The Sox currently have Brent Morel penciled in at third, but Young is a far superior player. They have the money to pay Young, but maybe not the prospects, as they have a poor farm system. If Texas were inclined to trade Young in a salary dump, this would be a great destination for him.
The Minnesota Twins
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Trading Michael Young to the Twins would be a good move for both teams. The Twins could use a veteran third baseman or shortstop, and Young fits the mold perfectly. Putting him in front of Mauer and Morneau would make for a solid 2-3-4 combo that’s tough to beat.
Unlike the White Sox, the Twinkies have a good farm system, and could acquire Young by giving up talent and getting Texas to eat some of Young’s contract.
If the Rangers pulled the trigger on a Young trade to the Twins, it serves a lot of purposes. The Twins get one of the best hitters in the game, while keeping him away from their divisional rivals like the White Sox, who might be inclined to acquire him. In return, the Rangers would be able to dump some of Young’s salary, while getting fair talent back in exchange.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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Although the Rangers would be unlikely to trade Michael Young to a divisional opponent, the Angels probably want Young the most because of their horrendous offseason that saw them miss out on Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford.
The Angels need to make a splash to compensate for their inaction this offseason, as well as keep up with an improved division.
The Angels have the money to spend and a good farm system, so they should have the bullets to get Young. However, the Rangers will most likely jack up the price to make it unreasonable for the Halos to pull the trigger on a deal.
The Houston Astros
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The Astros need a ton of help to contend in the improved NL Central this year, and Michael Young could really give them a boost. Young could help at third or short in Houston, and would be great hitting in front of Carlos Lee, who is looking to rebound after an awful season. It would also allow Young to stay in the state of Texas, where he played his entire career.
The big problem with Houston acquiring Young is that they’re in rebuilding mode. Young is still fairly young (no pun intended), but he probably makes more money than the Astros would want to pay. They also don’t have a good farm system that would force the Rangers to pay some of Young’s salary over the next two years.
The Atlanta Braves
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The Braves could use Michael Young as more of an insurance policy for Chipper Jones. If Chipper takes more time than expected to return from injury, Young could man third base to keep the Braves in contention.
The Bravos already have a shot to win the Wild Card, but can ill afford to lose ground in the early parts of the season. Even if Jones can come back in perfect form, Young could be used as a super-utility-man playing the entire infield.
The Braves have great organizational depth, so they could probably get Texas to eat some of the contract for better prospects, so this is a deal that could be done.
The Oakland Athletics
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Ok, this is a bit of a stretch, because of Oakland’s perpetual tight pockets. However, the A’s were in on the Adrian Beltre sweepstakes, and could be inclined to target Young.
Young may make a lot of money, but he could provide the veteran leadership that could put them into contention. He is also a good money ball player, as he hits for average and draws walks. He could fit in perfectly batting second ahead of Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham, and playing at third or short.
The A’s aren’t much of a threat to the Rangers, so they might not increase the price because they are a divisional foe.
The Saint Louis Cardinals
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The Cardinals are probably the third best team in the NL Central, and could use a boost that Michael Young could provide. By trading for Young, they can move Lance Berkman’s power bat down the lineup to fifth, and have the 2-5 hitters consist of Michael Young, Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman.
The Cards currently have David Freese at third base, who is serviceable, but not elite like Young. The Cardinals have the money to eat his contract, but maybe not the organizational depth to lessen Young’s monetary price.
Still, if the Cardinals wanted to emerge as the favorites in the NL Central, they would make a move for Young, they’d get a great player and person, and who wouldn’t want to play in St. Louis?
The Boston Red Sox
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Michael Young could never fit in to the Sox’s plan at third base, but at shortstop, it’s a different story. The Red Sox have both the organizational depth and money to trade for Young. Acquiring Young would give Boston a lineup the caliber of the Phillies’ pitching staff.
Young may not be as great in the field as years past, but he would still be serviceable, and his bat will win the Sawx far more games than he may lose with his glove. No matter how you slice it, he’s better than Jed Lowrie or Marco Scutaro. If Boston were bold, he would be a perfect fit.
The Philadelphia Philadelphias
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Oh, what the heck? The Phillies are going for broke as is, and they’re weak at third base, so why not go nuts and get Michael Young?
The Phils have deep pockets, a good farm system and aren’t even in the same league as the Rangers, so it would make sense for the Rangers to trade him to Philadelphia. They can even offer major league talent like Joe Blanton, who can help the Rangers’ rotation.
Young would get the privilege of playing for an undisputed World Series favorite, and would be perfect hitting in between Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard. What some might view as overkill could be viewed as yet another savvy move by Ruben Amaro Jr.
Inevitably
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The Rangers may get some form of compensation by trading Michael Young, but they would be better served holding onto him. Young had faith in the franchise through its lean years, and now that they are on top, should be able to enjoy the good times.
Young is an excellent player and person, and he is more than willing to DH or play second base to continue to help the team. Over the course of his career, he moved from second base, to shortstop, to third base; so a move back to second or DH is not asking too much especially if he wants to.
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