In an interesting bit of trade rumor news, the Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly in talks with the Texas Rangers for third baseman Michael Young. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Young might be unhappy with his role on the Rangers since they acquired Adrian Beltre who also plays third.
Young has a no-trade clause that would allow him to veto a trade to Arizona, but a source told Rosenthal that he would agree to a trade to the Snakes where he could step into a full time job at third. The deal is apparently stuck on the high price the Rangers are demanding in the deal.
Young, 34, is under contract for $16 million per year for the next three years which would make him the highest paid Diamondbacks player by far. Even if this deal doesn't happen, it is interesting and telling that GM Kevin Towers has the budget ability to go after a player with that kind of salary. The team is currently listed at about $48 million in team salary which is 28th in the league.
Young has a career .300 batting average and an OPS of .795. He's more of a doubles-hitter than a power guy, recording 36 two-baggers last season and 21 homers.
The Phillies and Cubs are also reportedly interested in Young, who could play second on those teams.
The Diamondbacks lost yesterday's Spring Training game to the Brewers in an 11-8 shoot out. AZ Snakepit has the full recap:
Diamondbacks 8, Brewers 11: Collin Sllams Millwaukee, We Stillll Llose - AZ Snakepit
After the largely attractive performance of Tuesday afternoon, there was a sharp regression in D-backs play today, in particular from the pitchers. Ian Kennedy had a poor outing, allowing five earned runs in three innings, and the bullpen wasn't a great deal better. They coughed up six more for Milwaukee the rest of the way, with several relief arms encountering their first earned runs of pre-season.On the plus side, we had no problems teeing off on Randy Wolf, and did play error-free baseball.