Ruben Amaro needs to sell and his first order of business should be trading Michael Young.
A little over a week ago I wrote a stupidly optimistic piece about the second half outlook for this team. It was all horribly wrong. The Phillies have lost seven games in a row putting them ten games back. The wheels are falling off. Sell. Sell. Sell.
Jul 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) dives into third base as Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Michael Young (10) cannot field the throw after hitting a double and reaching third on a error by right fielder Laynce Nix (not pictured) at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Over the past few days Young’s former team, The Texas Rangers, have been linked to reacquiring him. Other teams that have been mentioned include the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. It is impressive that there are three contenders interested in Young. He is hitting .277 , has hit in to 17 double plays, and continues to put the E in Michael. (That is a joke about how he is terrible at defense.)
Despite his proven awfulness, all three teams make a bit of sense for Young. Gordon Edes believes Young would best fit as the Orioles designated hitter. That works for me. I can’t even begin to guess what the team could get in return, but I am going to guess anyways. My hope would to get a near ready bullpen arm like Michael Belfiore or Jason Gurka, who is currently on the disable list. The Rangers were already paying $10 million of the $16 million Young was due this year. If the Phillies decided to pay whatever is left that he is owed, maybe they can get a slightly better return.
Trading Young makes room for Cody Asche. To me, this is more important than actually getting anything for Young. Asche has a OBP over .350 and has hit 13 home runs for AAA Lehigh Valley. If this deadline is about making sure the team in competitive in 2014 and beyond, the Phillies need to see what they have in Asche. Giving him two months worth of games at the major league level would be crucial in determining if he is a viable option for next season.
Wednesday is the deadline. If Young isn’t traded by then, Amaro is officially awful at his job.