New York Mets, OF Chris Young Agree on One-Year Deal

Former D-backs and Athletics OF to play in Big Apple.

Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets inked free agent outfielder Chris Young to a one-year deal. It was tweeted by ESPN’s Buster Olney that the deal is for $7.25MM. With this, and as Adam Rubin of ESPN New York notes, Young is now the second-highest paid Met behind David Wright, who will make $20MM for the 2014 season.

For 2013, Young struggled, posting career lows in all of the triple slash categories (.200/.280/.379). He also posted career-lows in HR (12, but O.co will do that to you) and RBI (40). Young arrived in Oakland as part of the three-team deal involving the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins. He had played the previous seven season with the D-backs.

The Young signing gives the Mets outfield a look of Chris Young, Eric Young, Jr. and Juan Lagares. Mike Puma of The New York Post recently reported that the Mets priorities were “Two bats — preferably shortstop and outfielder — a starting pitcher and reliever”. Signing Young seemingly eliminates one of those.

But could the Mets still in the running for the services of Curtis Granderson? A Granderson signing could pave the way for the club to move EY, Jr to second base, a move speculated by Kristie Ackert of The New York Daily News before Chris Young was signed. EY, Jr. states he’s ready to play the position if called upon, and he is “making sure I have both gloves ready”. Remember that he also started his MLB career as a second baseman.

I know, where would that move leave Daniel Murphy? Can’t see moving Murphy off the position or in a deal unless it’s an upgrade. While Young had a nice 2013, he’s not an upgrade over Murphy.

Seems the chances of the Grandy Man moving to Flushing have been lessened.