MLB Trade Rumors: Why the Pirates should be after the Phillies’ Michael Young
By Matt Shetler
Over the course of the next few weeks, there will be plenty of names linked to the Pittsburgh Pirates as the trade deadline is only a mere two weeks away.
One of those names should be Philadelphia Phillies’ infielder Michael Young.
Jul 11, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Michael Young (10) during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, “intense trade interest” in Young might compel the Phillies to trade him despite indications the team doesn’t plan to sell. Rosenthal also adds that the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are two of about a dozen teams that will go hard after Young.
Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington should as well.
The 36-year old has a .288/.344/.414 slash line in his first year in the National League with six homers and 28 RBI in 363 at bats. However Young’s value to the Pirates would go much deeper than his numbers would indicate.
He’s a guy who can still play multiple positions and play them fairly well. Young would strengthen the Pirates bench as he would be a more valuable option than anything the Bucs currently has that can play either corner infield position. He also can play both middle infield spots and although he hasn’t done so this season, he would still represent an upgrade than what Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle must currently turn to.
Young would also bring another veteran presence to the locker room that is used to winning.
It also appears that Young is getting used to National League pitching. After struggling during the month of May, hitting only .172, he has responded well by hitting .333 in June and .298 so far in July.
The problem is that the Phillies are currently 5.5 games out in the wild card and may not be as willing to deal Young as Rosenthal may suggest.
Philadelphia does need a center fielder and bullpen help so there could be a match with the Pirates in terms of bullpen arms.
In 14 major league seasons Young has a career .301 batting average and .790 OPS.