Free Agent Profile: Delmon Young

OVERVIEW: Young helped the Tigers to the playoffs in 2011 and 2012 with his hot September’s and is a great playoff performer.  On the other hand his defense stinks, putting it best and he can’t hit in the first half leading to bad all-around numbers in everything except the power department.  He’s only going to be 27 though and age 27 seasons can become career years in a hurry.  Despite his lack of patience at the plate, which will probably never change, I can see him very easily helping out a contending team in 2013 and beyond.  He could be a platoon type of guy, who plays more than he doesn’t, with the Yankees and I also see him being able to gain stock
with a team like the Astros and going back onto the market and getting a good deal.  If he can take a few more walks and start off the season hot, he can be one of the team’s top hitters and I like his play to an extent and it’s worth a deal somewhere.
STATS: You’ll most likely get a .260-.300-.420 type of year and around 20 homers and 70-80 RBIs with some playing time in any part of the line-up.  His defensive metrics and stats will not be pretty at all.
FITS:
Yankees- As a part-time DH, he could smash in that stadium too and this is his best chance of breaking out
Astros- A team that could use some hitters, another place Young could find some success, just might be harder to in Houston
Tigers- Almost no chance he re-signs, but he did some nice things in 2011-12
Braves- They’ve looked at him, decent fit, but doubtful
Rangers- Need a DH with Michael Young gone, Young can thrive better in a hitting environment
IDEAL CONTRACT: 1-year, 5-6 Million
CAN HE REBOUND?: He can rebound off of his poor years, but he really needs to work and focus and keep it up to show why he is a former #1 pick
BOTTOM LINE: Slugger who could help a team with high reward potential, like on a good deal

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