It’s no secret that Michael Young wants to play shortstop, and apparently it’s bad enough to want out of Texas. The GM of the Rangers, Jon Daniels, said this afternoon that they can work it out if the relationship was a “two-way streetâ€, showing Young’s apparent apathy to return to the Lone Star State…
…leading to today’s news throwing the Twins in the rumor mill of having interest in Young.
Let me put this bluntly: It’s not going to happen.
Let’s take a look at his numbers over the last few years: .314 and 14 HR (2006), .315 and 9 HR (2007), and most recently .284 and 12 HR (2008). At 32, as long as he doesn’t pick up the syringe, expect .280 and 10 HR production that should rapidly decline for 5 years at $12M a pop. Platooning Buscher and Harris would yield just about as much at the plate at 1/16th the cost. Also expect the Rangers to ask for one of our young starters in return.
Would we love him on our team? Yes.
Is he worth the cost? Absolutely Not.
Despite Michael Young’s popularity, ability to hit for average, and extreme durability; his massive contract, age, and deceptively mediocre production make him a non-candidate for the Twins in 2009.
If the Twins actually make a move for Young, it may be the turning point of management spend policy.
Don’t hold your breath.
