Young wants out of Texas, and now
The Texas Rangers have told infielder Michael Young(notes) they will attempt to trade him in the coming days, according to a source familiar with those conversations, in part because Young has grown disillusioned with his diminished role on the team.
The Rangers are known to have been in contact with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels. The Rockies are believed to be Young’s most likely destination. The Rangers probably would rather not trade Young to the Angels, who share the American League West, but also would like to heed the wishes of Young, a loyal and productive player for a decade.
Both the Angels and Rockies would ask for salary relief in order to offset Young’s contract. He is due $48 million over the next three seasons.
While it is unclear whom the Rangers would receive in return in either scenario, Young’s status with the only big league club he has ever known was made uncertain last month when the Rangers signed free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre(notes). The Rangers also recently acquired DH/catcher Mike Napoli(notes), a move that would seem to further encroach on Young’s at-bats.
Young, 34, came to the major leagues in 2001 as a second baseman, was moved to shortstop when the Rangers traded for Alfonso Soriano(notes), then to third when Elvis Andrus(notes) arrived from the minors two seasons ago. The Beltre signing appeared to push Young off the field entirely, to designated hitter.
A six-time All Star, Young likely would be the Rockies’ everyday second baseman. He presumably would play third for the Angels. He batted .284 with 21 homers and 91 RBIs for the Rangers last season.
