Poll: Where Will Michael Young End Up?
Michael Young has been a popular man on the trade rumor circuit this offseason, but it wasn’t until this afternoon that we learned the third baseman had officially requested a trade. A number of teams could use a player of Young’s caliber, however only a few can afford the $48MM left on his contract. That’s why Texas will likely eat some of that money to facilitate a deal.
The Rockies have been, by far, the team most connected to Young. Their latest offer includes Jose Lopez but not Aaron Cook, and they’ll reportedly need the Rangers to absord $20MM or more in a deal. Eric Young Jr.‘s name has also come up in talks. Colorado would play Young at second, the position he played when he first broke into the league.
We’ve also heard that the Dodgers have interest in acquiring Young, but their uncertain ownership situation is standing in the way. After missing out on Adrian Beltre, who displaced Young in Texas, it’s possible that both the Athletics and Angels would have interest in Young. Both clubs are seeking help at the hot corner, but it’s unclear if the Rangers would be willing to move him within the division. Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times took a look at what it could take to send Young to Anaheim.
The Cardinals are also in need of a third baseman, however GM John Mozeliak has indicated that the team’s payroll is “leaking” following the Lance Berkman signing. They also need to focus on extending Albert Pujols. The Mets could use Young at second, but they don’t have much room in the budget and ownership is currently being sued for ten figures. It’s important to note that the only thing connecting those two clubs (plus the A’s) is my speculation.
Which team will trade for Michael Young?
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Another team not listed 25% (3,463)
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Rockies 20% (2,773)
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Angels 14% (2,021)
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Cardinals 13% (1,824)
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He won't be traded 13% (1,749)
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Dodgers 10% (1,375)
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Athletics 6% (769)
Total votes: 13,974
Michael Young Wants Out Of Texas
After hearing his name in countless trade rumors and seeing his infield position filled by Adrian Beltre, Michael Young has "grown disillusioned with his diminished role" on the Rangers and wants out of Texas, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. According to Brown, Texas has told Young that they will push to trade him in the coming days.
The Rockies and Angels remain the primary potential destinations for Young. Any trade would have to include salary relief, as he's owed $48MM over the next three years. Young would likely slot in as the everyday second baseman in Colorado or the everyday third baseman in LA, though Texas would probably prefer to avoid dealing him within the division. We heard yesterday that Jose Lopez would be a part of Colorado's latest offer.
Young's name originally hit the trade rumor circuit back at the Winter Meetings when he was first connected to the Rockies. The longtime Ranger has a lifetime .300/.347/.448 slash line and has played second base, shortstop, and third base regularly at various points throughout his career.
Rockies Notes: Young, Tulowitzki, Street
While the Rockies have been linked to Michael Young in recent trade rumors, reports differ on the likelihood of the Rox consummating a deal with the Rangers. For what it's worth, ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider required) asked five talent evaluators for their opinions on Young, and the responses suggested he'd be a good fit in Colorado. The majority felt that second base was the most appropriate infield position for Young, and though two evaluators expressed concern about the veteran's home/road splits, Coors Field is one of baseball's few stadiums that's as hitter-friendly as the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Here are the rest of this morning's Rockies-related links:
- Within a Denver Post piece about Troy Tulowitzki's offseason, Troy Renck says the shortstop is hoping the Rockies bring in another veteran hitter. There aren't a ton of free agent bats left, though Young would qualify as a second base upgrade.
- Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post wonders if Huston Street's days in Colorado could be numbered. The Rockies closer is under contract through 2012, with a 2013 option, but Armstrong suggests that the multiyear deals awarded to Matt Lindstrom and Rafael Betancourt give the club the flexibility to move Street if they want to.
Michael Young Rumors: Saturday
In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney notes that something has changed in the relationship between Michael Young and Rangers, possibly because of trade talk this winter. He speculates that the Athletics and Blue Jays could be fits in a deal. Let's keep tabs on the latest regarding Texas and their third baseman here throughout the day…
- MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Dodgers are interested in Young, but their unstable ownership situation is standing in the way.
- A well placed source told Renck (via Twitter) that he doesn't think the Rockies will get Young. Renck also hears (via Twitter) that the Rockies would need Texas to eat $20MM or more in a deal.
- A source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that talks between the Rangers and Rockies have reached an "advanced stage," and a trade could come as soon as Monday. Texas is not talking to any other club, and a source confirmed that Jose Lopez is in the latest offer.
- Renck says it's "very, very unlikely" that Dexter Fowler would be involved (on Twitter).
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports that the Rangers have not reached out to Rockies as of Friday, contradicting what we heard yesterday.
- Renck notes (on Twitter) that Colorado would be willing to give up Lopez in a trade, but not Aaron Cook. That is subject to change, however. The Rox are understandably leery of surrendering big league starting pitching.
Rangers Continue To Explore Michael Young Trade
7:31pm: The Rangers and Rockies are talking about a trade of Young again and one source says the talks have reached an advanced stage, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, other sources are painting a less optimistic picture of the discussions, saying the Rockies are confused by the Rangers’ “mixed messages” on Young.
3:56pm: The Rockies like Young, but are confused about the Rangers' plans and might not have the money to acquire the infielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. One source told Rosenthal that tallks with the Rockies are dormant. The Rockies would likely have to send Jose Lopez and another well-paid player to Texas in any deal.
3:02pm: The Rangers have not re-engaged the Rockies about a possible deal as of this afternoon, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
11:52am: The Rangers have recently continued discussing the possibility of trading Michael Young, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Once again, the Rockies are a potential destination for the infielder.
Young, who became expendable when the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre, has three years and $48MM remaining on his contract, which includes a partial no-trade clause. Once Young gains ten and five rights this May, he will have the power to veto any trade.
The Rangers told Young he was staying put last month and president Nolan Ryan has since said he expects Young to be with the club Opening Day. Young, 34, would DH and back up around the infield, potentially spelling Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland against tough southpaws.
The Rockies showed interest in Young earlier in the offseason and were said to be looking for infielders last month, but they have since added Alfredo Amezaga.
Quick Hits: Young, Ortiz, Blue Jays, Chicago Teams
Congratulations to Jack Gillis, Jim Howard, Terry Reynolds and Mike Toomey on their induction into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame! The four long-time scouts will be inducted individually during separate ceremonies through August.
Some news items…
- The Rockies and Rangers were close enough on a Michael Young trade package earlier this winter that a Colorado player who would've gone to Texas, Eric Young Jr., was asked to take a physical, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com. Texas was concerned by the stress fracture that sidelined Young Jr. for half of last season and the two sides couldn't settle on a deal.
- With Vladimir Guerrero struggling to find a contract, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal wonders if a similar fate awaits David Ortiz in next winter's free agent market.
- The Blue Jays' decision to start John Buck over prospect J.P. Arencibia in August and September of last season was an organizational call, Alex Anthopoulos tells MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. The Jays GM said he promised Buck an everyday job if he signed with Toronto, and Anthopoulos wanted to stand by his agreement. "When we give our word to someone … that's part of our brand," Anthopoulos said. "When I'm negotiating with an agent or I'm trying to recruit a player, and we have to tell them something, whether it's good or bad news, they know that we're going to honor our word and we're going to be straight shooters."
- Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago discussed several Cubs and White Sox topics in a chat with fans.
- Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com gives his list of the offseason's biggest winners and losers. I'm not sure if I agree with Urban's designation of Manny Ramirez as the biggest individual "loser" this winter — he took a big pay cut, but the Rays should still be a contending team.
Olney On Mets, Young, Figgins
The fallout continues from the Mets' announcement on Friday that a portion of the team is up for sale, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Here's Olney's take, as well as some other items of note …
- The Madoff scandal could prove to be a turning point in Mets history if it leads to a change in the team's ownership. The financial implications go a long way toward explaining why the Mets' baseball-operations staff has been on a shorter payroll leash since the signing of Jason Bay, and one has to wonder how long the Mets will be operating in that mode as the legal process plays out. To that end, signing a big-ticket free agent like Albert Pujols in the near future would be difficult. Finally, was new GM Sandy Alderson aware of the Mets' financial standing when he took the job?
- Rangers president Nolan Ryan and manager Ron Washington are on record as saying that Michael Young will be with Texas on Opening Day, as Young is well-liked by the organization and will be useful in the super utility role. Both the Rangers and Rockies say that trade talks regarding Young have not been rekindled.
- The Athletics' rumored pursuit of Chone Figgins makes sense if you consider that he fits Oakland's preference for acquiring players who are fast and defensively sound. To boot, Figgins would cost the A's only about 60 percent of what they were willing to spend on free-agent Adrian Beltre, who signed with the rival Rangers. Olney interprets Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik's comment that Figgins is the Mariners' third baseman as a, "no comment."
AL West Notes: Moyer, Webb, Young, Angels
The Mariners, Rangers and Angels could all make moves between now and Opening Day, though the A's appear to have completed the bulk of their offseason shopping. Some updates on the AL West…
- Longtime Mariner Jamie Moyer told Seattle fans that he would consider returning to the Mariners in 2012, according to MLB.com's Greg Johns. The lefty is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2011 season.
- Mariners assistant GM Jeff Kingston says the team could still add a veteran pitcher or two as non-roster invitees, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times (on Twitter).
- Brandon Webb told the Ben and Skin radio show that he has made "dramatic strides," and that he has been pleased with "awesome" results so far this offseason. The Dallas Morning News passes along the quotes from Webb, who is recovering from shoulder injuries.
- Rangers president Nolan Ryan says he expects Michael Young to be on the team as the regular DH on Opening Day, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).
- Scott Boras told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he has had "great," discussions with the Angels this offseason. Team owner Arte Moreno said yesterday that he had no interest in meeting with Boras and suggested he doesn't have "anything nice" to say about the agent.
AL East Notes: Beimel, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Jennings
We've already caught up on the Yankees, but it's now time to check in on a few of the Bronx Bombers' AL East rivals. Here's the latest:
- Joe Beimel is deciding between three teams, according to MLB.com's Evan Drellich. The Red Sox, Orioles and one National League club are the finalists for the lefty's services, agent Joe Sroba says.
- Could Michael Young be a fit in Toronto? Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star thinks so. Nobody asked me, but I don't see the Blue Jays as a possible destination for Young, who happens to be a close friend of Vernon Wells'.
- An MLB executive tells ESPN.com's Buster Olney the Blue Jays “have a chance to be a real power for years to come,” and believes that Alex Anthopoulos & Co. will do a lot with their upcoming draft picks and newfound payroll flexibility.
- A lot of rival executives tell Olney that they consider the Red Sox the best team in baseball on paper, but wonder how much Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia will produce behind the plate.
- Some people around the league question whether Rays prospect Desmond Jennings will reach the potential he showed a couple seasons ago.
Rockies Looking To Add Pieces
The Rockies are considering available free agents as they look to add rotation depth, left-handed relief and infield help, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Rockies would like to add a veteran starter and David Bush and Rodrigo Lopez are among the team’s targets.
The team would also like to sign a left-handed reliever to a minor league deal. Matt Reynolds (21 career appearances) and Franklin Morales (88 career appearances) are the team's current options, so they’re eyeing veteran help. Former Rockie Joe Beimel does not appear to be an option, according to the Denver Post.
Alfredo Amezaga, Cristian Guzman and Aaron Miles are among the backup infielders the club is considering. The Rockies appear to prefer Amezaga to Miles, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies still have interest in a higher profile infielder: Michael Young. Young will earn $16MM in each of the next three seasons and the Rangers say they expect him to stay in Texas.
Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine told Mike Ferrin and Morgan Ensberg on MLB Network Radio that “we’re looking at [Young] as our primary DH but also a guy who’s going to play all over the infield.” The team expects Young to get plenty of playing time, even though they just acquired former division rival Mike Napoli.
The Rockies also signed veteran catcher Chad Moeller to a minor league deal, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America.