Delmon Young Traded to Tigers
By Editorial Staff
In a surprise move, the Twins have sent outfielder Delmon Young to the Tigers for Minor League pitcher Cole Nelson and a player to be named later.
Young had his best year in 2010 as he produced a line of .298/.333/.493 in 153 games for the Twins. The 25 year old tallied 21 homers and 46 doubles to go with his 112 RBI’s.
2011 has been a far different story for Young. Injuries have sidelined the outfielder and he’s only managed an OPS of .662.
Young was making $5.38 million this season and will be due a slight increase next season after he once again goes through the arbitration process before reaching free agency in 2013.
Minnesota saves a little over a million dollars by dealing him now as opposed to non-tendering him this offseason. They may wish to use the money on other outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel who are each set to become free agents this winter.
Young’s addition may signal the beginning of the end of Magglio Ordonez. The 37 year old has been pretty awful this year for Detroit with a season OPS of .576. After his production increased in July, Ordonez has only gone 6 for 39 so far this month.
In return for Young, the Twins receive Minor League pitcher Cole Nelson. The 22 year old was taken in the 10th round of the 2010 draft and has a 4.87 ERA over 26 appearances for the Twins High-A club this season.
For more on the Tigers and Twins, be sure to check out Motor City Bengals and Puckett’s Pond.