Following Delmon Young's release from the Phillies earlier this week, there appears to be mutual interest between Young and the Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The two sides have had some conversations, and the Rays would like to add another right-handed bat to their roster.
Young, 27, is currently on release waivers from the Phillies and will be eligible to sign anywhere once he clears on Saturday. In 291 plate appearances with Philadelphia this season, he batted .261/.302/.397 with eight homers. As is always the case, Young hit much better against lefties (.286/.361/.397). However, he typically displays much more power versus lefties, which clearly wasn't the case this season as his .397 slugging percentage against lefties was identical to his .397 mark against righties.
Young was drafted by the Rays with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft. He played just one full season with the Rays, however, before being the headlining piece of Tampa Bay's Matt Garza trade with the Twins in 2007. Young is a career .283/.316/.423 hitter in parts of eight seasons with the Rays, Twins, Tigers and Phillies.
