MLB Speculation: Should the Cleveland Indians Make a Deal for Michael Young?
Back in early February, Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young officially asked to be traded.
However, the Rangers have yet to be involved with any serious offers.
Part of the reason is that Young is set to make $48 million over the next three seasons. Also, Texas is asking for grade-A talent, which could only make matters more difficult.
On March 19, Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports tweeted that the Rangers are willing to roughly split the $48 million in order to get a deal done.
With that said, should the Cleveland Indians attempt to make an offer?
Well, after trading away fan favorites in Victor Martinez, Casey Blake and Ben Francisco, the Tribe could use someone like Michael Young.
They also traded away CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee (consecutive Cy Young award winners in 2007 and 2008).
As for Young, he is a seasoned vet with a legitimate amount of postseason experience who can be a leader for the younger players.
In 2010, he batted .284 with 21 homers while driving in 91 runs and hitting 36 doubles.
Since 2002, he is averaging .303 at the plate with 16 jacks, 84 RBI and 36 doubles. The stats are there and are definitely worth considering.
Last season, only Shin-Soo Choo on the Tribe was comparable to Michael Young, which shows that Cleveland could be in dire straits come 2011.
Also, only Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Fausto Carmona have multi-million dollar deals, so the Tribe possibly could afford to offer Young a rather long-term deal.
For starters, he is 34 years old and may only have a few good years left.
However, with a new contract and a new team, Young could be willing to take a bit less for a team in a smaller market.
The difference here is that he would immediately become the big fish in a small pond.
In Texas, there was Vladimir Guerrero, Josh Hamilton, Cliff Lee (although now in Philly), Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler.
Michael Young could make an immediate impact in Cleveland and become a fan favorite in the process.
The Indians need an experienced third baseman and it would make their infield very good, along with Luis Valbuena and Asdrubal Cabrera.
So, Tribe fans, should the Cleveland Indians make a deal for Texas Ranger Michael Young?
You be the judge.
