The Yankees have agreed to terms with outfielder Chris Young on a minor league contract, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter).
Young, a client of Reynolds Sports Management, began the season with New York’s other team after signing a one-year, $7.25MM contract in the offseason. The Mets were looking to buy low on a player that averaged 3.7 wins above replacement from 2010-12 before a down season in 2013, but unfortunately for all parties involved, Young’s struggles continued.
The former Diamondback batted just .205/.283/.346 in 287 plate appearances with the Mets before being designated for assignment and ultimately released earlier this month. Young, 30, can provide the injury-plagued Yankees with some additional outfield depth should he be added to the 40-man roster in advance of Sept. 1, when Major League rosters will expand.
With Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury locked into left and center field, respectively, Young could potentially join a right field mix that includes Ichiro Suzuki, Martin Prado, Zelous Wheeler and Carlos Beltran if added to the roster. He can also handle either of the other two outfield spots in the event of a day off or an injury for Ellsbury or Gardner, which could be significant, as Gardner has dealt with a right ankle injury over the past few days.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
That’ll really help them score runs.
You mean strikeouts for the opposing pitcher
He could keep Jeter’s seat warm on the bench, though if that’s a matter of importance, they should spare no expense and trade for Colon.
Only reason I can think that they did that is that they are going to make a trade using a young outfielder. I don’t approve of that, but I can’t think of any other reason
It’s a depth move that means next to nothing.
Reading too much into a depth signing. Rosters are expanding in less than a week, and he’ll give them a veteran bench bat to help spell some players on an aging roster.
The roster is expanding; They’re just going to throw him out there a few times and see what they have. Don’t read into it too much.
I think, from now on, it should be mandatory that both Chris Youngs sign with the same team.
If the pitcher Young regresses, they can both sign with the Bridgeport Bluefish.
Good sign. Good speed, he’ll be a great bench 4/5 outfielder who can swipe bags. Basically a low risk sign. Nice move
He can’t swipe any bags because he can’t get on base.
There is a high risk of strikeouts
Because the yankees needed another guy to hit below .235
At least hes cheaper than McCann or Beltran, hits about as well too.
For what it’s worth, Beltran’s hitting .293/.358/.480 since the All-Star break and has boosted his OPS+/wRC+ to league-average territory.
For what its worth that has come over 33 games and included a few more games missed due to injury. Beltran played very well for 19 games in August, his remaining number are far from inspiring.
The signing hasn’t been that great thus far but his numbers are too bad for a guy with pain and bone chips around one of his elbows.
If the saying “what have you done for me lately” means anything, then it should apply when someone is doing more than they did.
League minimum? Max production.
League max? Minimum production.
When i was younger I always thought that being with the yankees you had to be the best of the best. Oh how times have changed
the yankess can also sign vernon welles
Low risk, but why? The Yankees already have a number of low performing and injured players. Why add another?
This is just rude. With the Mets luck being what it is, Young is going to be brought up when rosters expand on September 1 and he is going to go on a tear for the entire month, hitting 10 or more HRs and helping the Yankees get into the postseason.
OK, maybe this is more funny than rude, but if the Yankees really need another outfielder this badly, they should just bring back Alfonso Soriano. As bad as Soriano was this year, he was no worse than Young was for the Mets. This really makes no sense whatsoever.
Young still grades out as a plus on defense and I guess the Yankees want to be able to give Ichiro full days off. So Young might be just a defensive replacement late in games for Beltran in right. It’s a luxury you can afford when roster sizes are 40 in September but not when they’re 25.
Young is horrible. Cashman is grasping at straws.
I’m seeing a defensive replacement for Beltran in right and a guy to soak up innings and ABs in meaningless later innings in blow out affairs. I never want to see him with a bat in his hands in any situation that means anything. Zelous Wheeler would be a better use of that AB.
His speed is hardly an asset anymore. Injuries robbed him of that years ago.
This. I saw him play a lot this year he definitely lost a couple steps. Not even an average runner anymore