Phillies

UPDATE: The Phillies Sign Delmon Young

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jan 22nd, 2013 · 2:57 PM EST

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UPDATE: The Phillies have signed Delmon Young to a one-year, $750,000 contract. They now have the most eclectic outfield of all-time. 

Not a bad deal, though.

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I imagine Ruben Amaro has spent the winter traveling the Dominican slow-pitch softball circuit, looking for someone – anyone – preferably over the age of 30, who can mash taters, because the Phillies really need some power in their outfield.

As of yet, Rube has come up empty. But there might be someone out there, and he's a Major League player: 27-year-old Delmon Young. 

Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly:

Sources tell CSNPhilly.com that the Phils are seriously considering signing free-agent Delmon Young.

Amaro, who typically keeps matters of free-agency close to his vest, did not deny that.

“We’ve kicked around a lot of stuff,” he said. “He’s among them.”

 

Young has played with the Rays, Twins and Tigers. He’s a well-rounded player, but has had his share of problems, too. He began the season in the California penal league once threw a bat at an umpire in the minor leagues, and he was arrested last April for yelling anti-Semitic slurs ("Fucking Jews! Fucking Jews!"), while drunk, in New York. MLB suspended him seven days for that incident. 

But, he’s 27 and a free agent. And while his numbers are as average as it comes for a corner outfielder – .267 AVG, 18 HR, 74 RBIs, .411 slugging percentage, 112 strikeouts last season with the Tigers – he likely has his most productive years ahead of him. 

Amaro told Salisbury that Young’s off-field troubles would cause “reservations," but the Phils will “keep [their] minds open also.” Translation: Juan Carlosdominguez has a full no-trade clause with his Domincan beer league club. So my options are kind of limited, Jim.