Veteran right-hander Chris Young has been released by the Padres, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (via Twitter). Young triggered his opt-out rights after learning that he would not be added to the Opening Day roster.
The Pads had given Young a long look as a rotation candidate this spring, but ultimately decided against keeping the 38-year-old. He had been slated to earn a $1MM base salary in the majors, with a hefty potential incentives package that included up to an additional $6MM more.
Young had been hoping to bounce back with the Pads after a pair of miserable seasons. He has already shown he can be useful in his late thirties, with two sturdy campaigns in 2014 and 2015, but has stumbled to a 6.52 ERA in his 118 2/3 frames since the start of 2016. This spring, he recorded 15 strikeouts against four walks in his 14 1/3 innings, but also coughed up four dingers and a dozen earned runs.
San Diego’s decision to keep reliever Adam Cimber left no space in the bullpen and created additional 40-man roster pressure, leaving Young on the outside looking in. Presumably, he could still rejoin the organization on another minors deal if he’s unable to find a better situation elsewhere.
The decision means we won’t see Young pitch for the Padres for the first time since 2010. But it could suggest that another old favorite, Tyson Ross, will earn his way back onto the team after also joining as a non-roster player. Ross, whose career dove when shoulder issues arose, has reputedly looked good this spring and has allowed only five earned runs in his 15 Cactus League frames.
If he doesn’t find another fit, I’d like to see him come back on the coaching side
He said in an interview earlier this spring that this was his last hurrah and he’d go into coaching if he didn’t make the Pads. Always a spot for him in KC if he wants it.
As a Royals fan, I don’t care how bad he was the last two years in KC. His ‘15 postseason performance out of the bullpen cemented him as one of my favorites. Would love to have him as a coach.
Good guy. If he wants to keep pitching, hoping he finds a spot to land. Also, a VERY smart guy… so when it’s time to call it quits, he can do just about anything he wants in the sport…. manager, front office…. whatever it is, wishing him well!
Good for Tyson Ross, hopefully he can regain his form.
It’s funny that these guys can barely find jobs at their age would opt out as if they’d really get another chance. It’s going to be be very interesting next offseason as most of the free agents will be in their mid to late 30s.
he was released, he found out he wasn’t going to make the team, so he asked for his release. Reading is helpful
“The decision means we won’t see Young pitch for the Padres for the first time since 2010.” —- kinda reads weird. Someone could take that as Young having been pitching for the Pads since 2010 and finally won’t be. Sometimes these MLBTR writers get too cute with their sentences and it just doesn’t work out.
Good luck to him, but always confuse him with the OFer Lol
Somebody from the Giants’ front office should be on the phone with Young’s agent right now. His tendency to pitch the lower half would play well in AT&T Park.
And he fits what they seem to be going for being 38 years old
Ok Ryan
Ok Tommy Jessop
Young is nearly 7 feet tall. He can’t pitch to a normal hitter’s lower half. Seriously, he works up usually but failed miserably at it the last 2 seasons, giving up HRs at an incredible rate.
Still think we should trade Tim Scott to the Expos for Archie Cianfrocco, straight up. We could start a fan section in center field called “CianfrocCrew”. IMAGINE
I wonder if he may go back to basketball? At least give it a shot