Boston Red Sox to sign Chris Young

The Boston Red Sox are set to sign free agent outfielder Chris Young, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:

The 32-year-old Young turned in a nice season for the Red Sox’s arch-rivals in 2015, slashing .252/.320/.453 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs in 140 games as the New York Yankees’ fourth outfielder.

A new multi-year contract is a significant victory for Young, who signed a one-season pact with the Yanks last year after a strong 23-game stint with them at the end of the 2014 campaign (.876 OPS in 79 plate appearances).

Young has done most of his damage against left-handed pitchers throughout his 10-year career, and last season was no exception. While he put up a paltry .182/.246/.339 line in 181 plate appearances against righties, he slashed a hearty .327/.397/.575 opposite southpaws.

Fenway Park was a particularly enjoyable venue for Young in 2015, as he posted a .350/.458/.650 slash line in 24 plate appearances at his future home ballpark. He belted this shot over the Green Monster on May 2, something the Red Sox will hope to see more of in 2016:

While the specific details of the contract are not yet known, some might question the wisdom of making a multi-season commitment to what is essentially a platoon player. Young will provide Boston with added flexibility in an outfield that is starting to look a bit crowded.

With Hanley Ramirez poised to man first base next year, Young is expected to join Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo as the club’s current outfield corps. Trade rumors have followed Bradley and Castillo, however, so the Young signing may allow team president Dave Dombrowski to further explore those possibilities.

A reunion with Young was never viewed as likely from the Yankees’ viewpoint this offseason, especially after the trade that netted them outfielder Aaron Hicks from the Twins. Like Young, the 26-year-old Hicks has demonstrated a knack for hitting lefties (.870 OPS in 112 PA vs. LHP last year).

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It’s hard to imagine the Red Sox being even close to finished with their winter shopping, so the Young addition  seems like an appetizer for more to come.