The Rangers are calling teams about Michael Young and are willing to eat about half of the $48MM remaining on his contract, tweets Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. As we've been hearing in recent weeks, the club is still asking for top-end prospects and not getting any bites.
Several teams have been linked to the veteran slugger but it doesn't appear that anyone is close to making a deal for him. The Diamondbacks rekindled talks with Texas a little more than a week ago but there has been little word on that front since. Some have suggested that the Cubs and Phillies could look to acquire Young, but neither club has yet to make a move.
General Manager Jon Daniels & Co. could generate some interest in the infielder if they are in fact willing to eat a significant portion of his contract. Young is owed $16MM per season through 2013.
That certainly increases the possibility of a trade. Maybe the Diamondbacks send one of their third base prospects and Saunders for Young and Derek Holland.
Why? 16 mil a year players are twice as good as 8 mil a year players.
– Tony Reagins
The Rangers are so screwed up no matter who is running the franchise at any given time. It was the Rangers themselves who signed Young to an overgenerous contract. Then, in the last six months, they’ve destroyed his trade value by making him appear a superfluous and unwanted part of their team–demeaning his reputation makes him less desirable to other teams. Now they’re demanding valuable young players in return for him. Holy Crazy Management Behavior, Batman !!
They better eat half his salary and be happy to get anything at all back for him. (Of course, if they had any brains they’d hold onto him as he could be valuable to THEM in the event of injury and they’ll never get much of a return on him in trade thanks to their own series of goofups.)
Agree. While their stance makes a bit more sense, the price is still steep. Also keep in mind that Young has the 10&5 provision now, which may make his moving problematic for Texas, given the way he’s been treated in the off season.
His 10
MY’s 10 & 5 rights don’t kick in til May 2011
Yep. I overlooked his vesting clock on my initial posting. Thanks.
I absolutely agree. Everything they have done has made the situation worse for both them and for Michael Young.
The Rangers could try to salvage that “pay half salary” thing-but they won’t if they continue to talk about it publicly. They could write a book about how to completely screw up a signing, and how to completely screw up an attempt to trade a bad signing, and add extra chapters on how to make everyone look bad in the process.
I’m not a Rangers fan, but if I were one I’d be mighty disenchanted about them right now.
How ridiculous, this is the best time to be a Rangers fan in the history of the franchise.
I guess then there is not much to be excited about if your a Rangers fan then. I hope you realize there is no way you are winning it all this year. I guess you can be excited that you have a chance to beat the A’s this year in a sad 4 team division.
I’m willing to bet alot of money you would of said the same thing to a Giants fan last March. It’s baseball, you never know. No one expected the Padres to win 70 games last year, they competed until the last week of the season. No one expected the Reds to win the NL Central, they did. No one thought the Rangers would win the AL West, guess what? They went to the World Series.
If you make the playoffs, you have a chance. It’s been proven by many teams in recent years. Your statement is foolish and makes it appear you have never watched playoff baseball before.
Amen stl_cards16 !!
You know, your statement made sense until I remembered that we went to the WS last year. Then I just smiled and crossed another day off my countdown till opening day 🙂
Seriously, the Rangers have botched the Michael Young fiasco by epic proportions. That is obvious, and I half wonder if that’s part of the reason Greenberg was shown the door. But to say that is going to kill the team’s chances next year and we should all be in the dumps about our team right now is rediculous. We still have the same guys in charge of the team that turned us from a crap team with no farm system into a WS contender with a strong farm system last year, and one botched move like this isn’t going to kill my faith in the team. There is no reason to believe the Rangers won’t at least be right in the thick of the pennant race come September, and that’s about all you can ask for this time of year. And sorry to disappoint you, but that does make me happy
completly agree with you. Just because young is not happy and the front office screwed it up does not suddenly make the A’s a better team. Dont forget they got adrian beltre who offensive numbers are on par with youngs and he adds more power(and will probably play with a chip on his shoulder due to all the contract year stuff) and they got young off the field which means less errors all around. And if they finally do move him it frees up the DH spot for napoli who his power numbers alone should make him the full time DH
It is said that pitching wins championships. Do you know, or are you ignorant, that the Rangers come from the division with the BEST pitching in the entire MLB? You’re right, the AL West is a “sad 4 team division”, but their pitching is the best in baseball. The team from the AL West is primed for success. Stop being ignorant… well now that you’re informed, you’ll just be stupid.
What a miserable attitude for a fan to have, I bet you are real fun to watch a game with.
Meanwhile, the Rangers actually are an exciting team to watch and they’ve got a good shot at making the playoffs where anything can happen. So yeah, that should be exciting actually. I can understand why other teams resent a 4 team division, but I really couldn’t care less as a fan. Won the 16 team league last year anyway.
why is there not much to be excited about as a rangers fan? Josh hamilton, nelson cruze, elvis andrews, kinsler and oh right adrian beltre. Also watching the potential come back of webb, the progression of the rest of their good young staff…Feliz in there. Watching napoli hit tons of homers in texas. whats so bad about being a rangers fan. Just because Michael “I’m over rated because i cant play defense and can only hit at home” Young is upset about being moved around because the rangers are always being in players that are better than him. Just because of that drama its not a good time to be a rangers fan?
They did go to the world series last season did they not? Yes they lost lee, but the added beltre which makes their offense and defense much better. Webb could finally come back and being a decent starter and feliz should be moved to the rotation and has ACE stuff
Your perspective is COMPLETELY wrong. You are under the assumption that the Rangers NEED to trade Young. The Rangers do not NEED to trade Young, and do not have payroll problems. Michael Young killed his trade value himself by demanding a trade. When trading a player of Young’s caliber, you do NOT pay half his salary and get NOTHING in return unless you are purely dumping salary. The Rangers have merely stated that in the event that a trade could be worked out, under the right circumstances, they would be willing to pay up to half his salary. Currently the Rangers seem to be needing/wanting an experienced closer. If paying half of Young’s salary gets you the closer that you want, and fulfills Young’s wish to be traded, it’s worth taking a look at.
The Rangers have never demeaned his reputation and even suggesting it shows that you have no clue what’s going on in Texas.
they are still asking for way to much
So now the question is, what would you give up for a 9mil/year poorly fielding corner infielder?
$9MM/year for three years*
yes, thank you.
There is no reason to give him away. If they can’t get anything of value then just keep him.
I like michael young, he’s been my favorite player since he made his debut for us, at first when i heard he wanted out i bashed him like you have no idea but now that i heard that they are being dishonest with him i’m on young’s side, if he wants a change of scenary then go ahead but don’t give him away for nothing.
Veteran slugger?
I do not believe that eating half of a 16 mil per year deal will net then any top ten prospects.
I believe to get the typr of prospects that the Rangers are looking for they will have to really get creative with a deal.
Something like a Young and 10 mil per of the contract money / Holland / Davis
to Cleveland for
Joe Gardner top 10 pitching prospect
Jared Goedert 3rd base AA with some power blocked by Chisenhall
Joe Smith
Jensen Lewis Closed a for a short period at the end of the season a couple years ago and did well — he showed he is a totally different pitcher in those situations.
I thought Joe Smith played for the Lakers?
Sooo blanton for young straight up seems like an ok deal for the phillies and rangers. Utley is likely out for the year and the rangers could use an inning eating pitcher like blanton in their rotation. I just don’t see the rangers getting a top prospect for and aging infielder. I could always be wrong though.
Texas would certainly have to eat half of the contract and the Phillies would have to be certain the Utley will be out at least most of the season. As of right now now, the jury’s out on the injury. $8MM is a lot of money to pay someone to sit on the bench, even the Yankees don’t do that. Say what you will about Amaro, but he doesn’t panic and won’t be pushed into a move unless it makes sense and is in Philadelphia’s favor.
I know your comment was not totally about the yankees but seeing them made me think how funny it would be to see young on the same team as tex and arod again. And knowing him half way through the season he would throw another tantrum about not getting playing time because of arod and tex
The Rangers don’t need Blanton. He is a #5 pitcher for a contender in the American League. We have plenty of #4 and #5 starter candidates. I wouldn’t want Blanton if the Phillies gave him away and agreed to pay half of his salary. We can fill that role with young pitchers making MLB minimum or just over that.
Obviously depending on the money and prospects involved, he makes a LITTLE sense for the Cubs if and only if their primary intention is to bring him into the fold as a replacement for Ramirez after the year. The free agent 3B market next year is looking weak and we’re not exactly deep at the position. (I think it’s fair to say that Vitters has fallen from “don’t block this kid” to “prove you deserve to be in the majors” at this point.)
I’d still really like to see DeWitt get a shot at consistent ABs for a year and see if he’s ever going to live up to the hype he had a few years ago, though.
As a Ranger fan I would love to see Young traded to Chicago for Marlon Byrd. Then I’d play Byrd in CF, ship Julio Borbon back to the minors, and put Chris Davis on the roster as a backup 1B/3B/DH. I don’t expect Davis to be a star, but he has too much potential to be traded away for pennies on the dollar. The absence of Young would also allow a few more at-bats for David Murphy & Mike Napoli. That’s a good thing.
Something tells me Ruben is looking at that check book again…….
I was thinking… what about Lidge/Blanton for Young and one of their relievers. Washington was talking about how he wants a veteran closer and many in the Phillies organization feel like Madson is ready to step up.
What r u talking getting rid of lidge? I want to win a ws not lose it.
Because he’s most likely gone after this year and we’re not going to get anything in return (No way Ruben offers him arbitration) and he’s a huge ? in the 9th inning with his velocity.
I was mainly thinking about the 12 million he’s owed this year. It doesn’t make much sense but I was just throwing something out there.
Also, the only way the Phillies would trade for MY is if Chase has the surgery and misses the season. Now you’re without your all star second baseman and you’re not going to win a World Series with Wilson Valdez as your everyday second baseman.
I agree with u val is good but no chase. Lidge is 12 mill as a closer yes that is steep. But madson has little experience closing he is a hell of a pitcher but does he have the stuff to prove he has it? Also what about Raul? He has a steep tag too. Why not him? I am like yourself just throwing stuff out their to think of.
If they put Blanton in the rotation, wouldn’t that mean that Feliz is likely closing this year?
Anyway, tell Washington to give Wagner a ring. Can’t believe he’s retiring after a season in which he posted a 0.865 WHIP, 4.9 H/9, 2.9 BB/9, and 13.5 K/9.
If Wagner still wanted to play, he would have returned to the Braves,whom I believe still retain his rights.
I meant Lidge or Blanton. Lidge for Young/a reliever with Texas eating no money the first year and half the 2nd and third. Also, Texas has the option of picking up Lidge’s option if he has a big year.
If it was Blanton for Young it might include Philly giving a prospect.
Lidge makes $11.5 million, Blanton $8 million. Lidge is banged up as well. I don’t think the Rangers would make that move from a money standpoint. I’m not sure Amaro would be comfortable trading away their closer, seeing how Madson crumbled in that position last year, and you’re an injury away from having Contreras or Baez closing games in a pennant race.
I just dont think i would sign MY to a 3 year, 24M contract right now – let alone give up prospects for him… It makes no sense for a team like AZ to do that at all..
3 years/24 MM is an overpay for Michael Young, so surrendering a decent prospect for him and that commitment is just absurd.
I hope this is close to giving MY away as the Rangers go.
Would the Rangers be willing to reaquire Soriano via a trade for Young?
Where would Soriano play? Last we heard, Texas was committed to Borbon, Hamilton and Cruz in the outfield.
Alfonso Soriano — talk about having to eat a contract!
the Cubs would have to go Stand-By-Me barf-o-rama on that one
Well…. that was random.
I believe he would fill the DH position that Young dd not want to play. Maybe throw in Silva Samardja and Dewitt to bbalance out finances. This is just a thought mind you.
Question? Adrian Beltre for 6/96 plus eating 24 million if Youngs contract equals 120 million! Retaining Cliff Lee and keeping Michael Young to play 3rd! Which option should Texas have worked harder to accomplish?
Well they did offer him $161 mil dude.
The Rangers were TWICE told by Cliff Lee that if they offered him just 1 more year, it would seal the deal. The Rangers wound up extending an extra year the first time, and the deal was not sealed. The Rangers had no reason to believe that ANOTHER year would finish the deal. And the first extra year was more than the Rangers really wanted to go in the first place.
My point was in response to what RSD said. He basically said Texas should’ve tried harder to get Lee. In fact, they offered Lee the most money so it’s not like they DIDN’T try their hardest to get him. He simply wanted to go to Philly.
The Rangers offered 161? I thought it was 6/138 while Philly offered a 6th year vesting option for 27.5 totaling 147.5! So would you rather Lee and Young for for a bit more than Beltre cost, which Texas could have done if they gave Lee a guaranteed 7th year! IMO Texas is a much better club in this scenario at what,a 3-5 mil increase annually!
They offered him 6/$138 and a very obtainable vesting option for another $23 mil.
At some point in the next 5 yrs Cliff Lee will become an albatross around the Philly neck. Back injuries will derail him. Besides, he’s emotionally soft… he didn’t want the burden of being an ace, he wanted to go someplace where he can be a #2 behind Halladay – or arguably even a #3 behind Oswalt too.
It’s fun to pass unsupported opinion off as fact and prediction
Isn’t that what all of us do? CC contract will be an albatross. Crawford is going to be extremely overpaid in the 6th and 7th year of his contract. We all say the same things about mega deals that take a player into their mid to late thirties.
CC’s contract is hardly an albatross..
I do realize we all say that, but we don’t get in to specifics like Marco did
Lee is emotionally soft? He didn’t want to be an ace? Back injuries will derail him?
Those are all completely absurd unsupported claims
back injuries(HE ALREADY HAS A HISTORY WITH THEM and he is currently dealing with a back problem) and pitchers do not mix well. And with his mostion the stress it puts on his back= not so good. Dont get me wrong i love lee he is a great pitcher in a good situation and i wish him all the luck in the world i never was to see a player get hurt(except youlk because of that stupid batting thing he does) but lee is a ticking time bomb not to mention didnt he have knee issues last year too
I agree. I wasn’t suggesting that he was soft, doesn’t want to be an ace,etc. I’m sure you understood that though. Just saying so for the next guy
the best part is they are usually true. Lee is alreayd having back issues, thats sign enough that towards then end its going to be a bad situation(which is why they were smart with halladay another old guy to only sign him to 3 years and he is the best pither in the game right now) Crawford will be a bad deal if he loses his speed. His game is 100% based off that, one knee or ankle injury and his contract becomes another vernon wells and players who spend most of their careers runnin on turf tend to not last very long..
Have you ever looked at his career numbers or are you just typing just to type?
The guy has been the epitome of consistent. I believe that it is fair to say that when it is said and done, he will have a career that emulates Paul Molitor.
But you people will keep praising inconsistent players such as Kinsler, Beltre, Beltran and JD Drew!
You figure he’ll be a legitimate threat in his 40’s? He’s going to have to put a hell of a run together for the next 6/7 years to catch up to Paul Molitor in terms of consistency. Baseball reference has him being Placido Polanco, which seems fair except Polanco never made more then 6.25M a season. Which is the biggest problem right now surrounding MY.
Thats because Michael Young isn’t Polanco…he is far better. Im not saying Young isnt overpaid but he is without a doubt worth more than Polanco.
Big difference between Young and Molitor. Molitor was an OBP and SB machine. Young is one dimensional. He is a above average contact hitter with slightly above average power when he plays 2B and SS and below avg power at 3B, 1B or DH. He could be productive in a hitters park in a lineup with other great hitters though because he puts the bat on the ball but I would call him a great hitter overall.
I’m not a lover of any of the four you mentioned but at least they have others aspects of their game which are useful like the ability to play defense and Beltran was simply a beast when he was healthy.
You’re startin’ to piss me off, Daniels!
Enough!
We want to KEEP Young.
Why don’t you re-deal Napoli (unless you’re going to play him a Catcher).
Or trade one of the younger players for a top-flight pitcher?
We need one more pithcher; trust me!
I really think Young will get traded to the Cubs for Marlon Byrd and Andrew Casner, and salary relief equal to have of Young’s Salary.
Bryd will go back to Texas to play center field and Borbon optioned to AAA. Feliz to Rotation.
Who plays CF for the Cubs?? For the Rangers to get those 2 for Young they’d probably have to eat at least $33 mil…
They have a white kid who im blanking on his name right now, jackson maybe. Dude is awesome and he is going to be their starting CF next season after byrd but considering the cubs will not contend this year it would be smart to move the MLb pieces they have now and stock up n the farm because the farm is going to be in the bigs next seaosn. Or the cubs could move fukudome to CF(i know not that great) and let colvin start in right
Sure. A Byrd for Martin Perz makes sense for the Cubs. Giving up Cashnar and Byrd for Young makes no sense. Especially if they don’t think they are contending this year….
I can’t see the Cubs, who just emptied the farm the get Garza, trading Cashner in a deal to get Young. Doesn’t make sense.
You might be right about Byrd but Cashner is not going to happen. Cubs will give up Silva and Smardja
Fukudome and Reed would platoon in CF for the Cubs, Colvin in RF
HOF numbers?
Angles are always in the mood for a wild trade. Rodney and Callaspo for Young.