Colorado Rockies & Texas Rangers Search For 3rd Team to Facilitate Michael Young Trade

Posted by Around The Horn Baseball on 7 Feb 2011 | General Baseball

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Two weeks ago while speaking at a luncheon, Nolan Ryan, announced that Michael Young would be the Texas Rangers DH on opening day. As we wake up this post Super Bowl morning, it appears that Young may no longer be in Texas’ plans.

After the Rangers acquired Adrian Beltre last month, their plan was in fact to keep Michael Young as their DH. The understanding the Rangers had was that while Young was not happy about it, he was going to “take one for the team” and that he was on board with the move. However, with each day that has passed over this past month, it’s become increasingly obvious that Yong has grown disenchanted with his diminished role on the team.

Both the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies have both shown interest in Young this offseason and it is believed that the Rockies are the ones most likely to get a deal done if one should happen. Colorado would like to add Young to the top of their lineup and have him play second base. Second is where it all started for Young, as he played his first three years there. Young moved from second-base to shortstop in 2004 when A-Rod left for NY and then shifted from shortstop to third base in 2009.

To get this deal done however the Rangers would have to pick up a sizable portion of Young’s salary as the 34 year old is owed $48 million over the next three seasons, and that is clearly not something the Rockies have a budget for. The Rangers aren’t likely to do that, so someone is going to have to get creative here if they are going to get something done.

Numerous reports have the Rockies offering second baseman Jose Lopez in the deal but that’s a sticking point as well because the Rangers want more than that in return, particularly when they are being asked to pick up a large chunk of Young’s remaining salary.

MichaelYoung3 The situation in Texas is a moving target type thing and the Rangers needs seem to change daily. When the Rangers signed third baseman Adrian Beltre in January, Young became a fish out of water. When it was clear that Vladimir Guerrero was not coming back, Young was tabbed with the DH role. Then late last month, the Rangers acquired Mike Napoli from the Toronto Blue Jays. If you recall, the Blue Jays acquired Napoli in the fleecing of the Angels in the same deal where they were able to get Los Angeles to take Vernon Wells and his contract. Napoili can catch, play first base and serve as a DH, and so Young once again became expendable.

The Rangers and Rockies almost had a deal done involving Young earlier this offseason, but it was reported that Texas left Colorado at the altar at the last minute. If the Rockies and Rangers aren’t able to get a deal done Michael Young is expected to serve primarily as the Rangers’ DH this season, and fill in at literally any of the four infield spots facing the catcher. While not an exceptional defender and any of the infield position, should someone go down, having Young there to immediately take over would be a luxury indeed, although an expensive one. From Colorado’s standpoint without Young manning second they will enter spring training with four candidates to start at second base: Jonathan Herrera, Jose Lopez, Chris Nelson and Eric Young Jr.

It behooves both parties involved to find away to get this deal done and it wouldn’t surprise me if a third party were to enter the picture in order to facilitate a trade.

Blake Kearny is a retired baseball scout (34 years) from Los Angeles, California. He currently runs a baseball school for children in Los Angeles. You may email Blake directly @ blakek.mc3sportsmedia@gmail.com

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