Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com has reported that the Marlins are possibly looking into getting infielder Michael Young of the Texas Rangers. Rosenthal reports that if a deal were to be reached, the Rangers would have to finish paying Young for the multi-year contract he signed in 2007, which was worth $80 million. Young currently has a no-trade clause, meaning the Rangers would need permission from Young if a trade would be a possibility with the Marlins. The Rangers have the ability to trade Young to teams that he has selected, like the Dodgers, Rockies, or one of the other six teams he could be traded to with no questions asked.
Marlins’ beat writer Joe Frisaro blogged that the Marlins likely don’t have interest in the All-Star third baseman, as the Fish have assured us that Matt Dominguez will get the chance to start at third in 2011. Dominguez hasn’t been reached triple-A in the minors, but the Fish continue to say that he will get the first chance. Frisaro says that a deal with Young would only happen if Dominguez looks awful in Spring Training, but by then, Young will likely be traded elsewhere.
Although the All-Star infielder, Young, has proved himself offensively and defensively, the Marlins seem confident that Dominguez will get the first try- and succeed at it. Michael Young seems to be a good high-caliber player the Marlins should definitely take interest in, but it may not be something you will see soon. Dominguez has has a successful Minor League career, but how he will do in the Majors is unknown. Most players can’t make the transition from Minors to Majors easily, even Mike Stanton had trouble getting into the Majors. I don’t expect to see Dominguez starting off great, but some things happen. Maybe the rookie can be ready for the season after Spring Training; but either way, Young is definitely a player for the Fish to keep an eye out for. The Phillies have expanded this year, and the Marlins need great players to help them succeed in the N.L. East, especially offensive players to go against the Phillies’ starting rotation.
But it’s hard to doubt the Marlins’ decisions on rookies, especially infielders. If the Fish are quite confident that Dominguez will be a good fit, then maybe we should listen. Young is a veteran, and Dominguez is young. Having a “gold-glove caliber” player in Dominguez is a nice phrase to hear, and I’m confident the Marlins will choose Dominguez and leave their hands off of Young, at least for this year. I think you’ll be seeing more big trades happening during the 2011 offseason for the Fish as their payroll rises, and the expectations and income from the new stadium comes forth.
Young batted .284 with 186 hits, 21 HRs and 91 RBIs last year with the American League Champions Texas Rangers.
-Derek