If Texas Doesn't Trade Michael Young: The Four Scenarios
As baseball-invested people of all sorts -- the emotionally drained Rangers fan, the curiosity-driven blogosphere wanderer, the proselytizing columnist, and so on -- hold forth on the Michael Young imbroglio, and vigorously debate the merits and (many?) flaws in his hardline position against the ballclub, a rather significant question continues to fly freely and largely undetected: if the Rangers reciprocate Young's stubbornness by digging their own heels into the dirt, and outright refuse to accept a team-unfriendly deal, who the hell is going to want Young? And perhaps even more significantly, how do things end up playing out if they can't (or won't) trade Young?
The not-so-secret dirty little secret about the Young-approved eight-team list of possible landing spots is that virtually every one of those teams either (a) can't furnish the infield playing time that Young so desperately covets (e.g. Yankees), (b) can't afford to assume the salary commitment that would still exist even with the benefit of a generous cash subsidy (e.g. Padres), or (c) simply don't appear to want him for one good reason or another (Astros, Twins, Cardinals); meanwhile, the Dodgers and Angels continue to linger around on the periphery, and I suppose something could conceivably still happen there, but the point is that with Young's hottest pursuer (Rockies) now reportedly out of the mix, the likelihood of him being dealt without being more amenable to other possibilities is falling fast, to say the least.
So, in the event that the Rangers tell Young something to the effect of "we're not trading you, but we're also not expanding your role beyond that which we already laid out for you, so get over it," I'm seeing one of four possible scenarios playing out -- one or two of which may have little to virtually no chance of actually happening, but need to be included in the interest of thoroughness:
Scenario No. 1: Young initially fumes after being told that the organization won't punch his ticket to such exotic locales as Houston, Minneapolis, and/or St. Louis, but reports to spring training (as per his contractual requirements), dons his customary professionalism mask, and continues to ooze good-vibe intangibles by the bucket. In this scenario, Young sets aside his frustrations and misgivings about his playing-time situation (which will likely still comprise 600-plus plate appearances when all is said and done, provided that he's not dealt), ceases publicly voicing his distrust of the Rangers' front office, and at least ignores adversary Jon Daniels while continuing to be what most would consider a "good teammate." Texas goes on to enjoy a competitive season, thereby placating Young after a reasonable period of time, and eventually things quiet down to the point that he no longer wants to be traded.
And everyone lived happily ever after.
Scenario No. 2: Young is ticked, remains ticked going into spring training, and carries it over into the season ... except this time, it negatively colors his attitude and conduct in the clubhouse, in the dugout, and/or on the playing field. The extent to which this could occur is up for debate; it may be that he sulks quietly and merely no longer emanates those good-leadership vibes (or does so in far smaller quantities), or it may be that he's a bit more aggressive, to the extent that he ignites several disruptive episodes in team environments where such conduct is not tolerated. I will be upfront in saying that I have an inordinately difficult time imagining Young transforming into a clubhouse cancer in the way that, say, Sidney Ponson did three years ago, but I would be remiss if I did not at least acknowledge the possibility of Young adopting a scorched-earth policy as a means of expressing his discontent and forcing the trade issue more than he has already.
To those who would completely write off any prospect of Scenario No. 2 actualizing, I would point towards at least one disturbing little sign that has come to light this morning -- in addition to not being on speaking terms with general manager Jon Daniels, team president Nolan Ryan, and probably the rest of the Rangers' upper-level brass, Young has apparently severed all verbal contact with manager Ron Washington, who has never been anything less than a devout Young supporter and has always shown Young an overabundance of love. That bothers me. A lot. It leads me to wonder what other shenanigans Young would be capable of pulling, should he continue to not get his way during the remainder of his time in Texas.
Scenario No. 3: An amalgamation of scenarios No. 1 and No. 2, where Young sucks it up and maintains a friendly, amicable and team-first personality around his teammates, coaches and manager, but continues to be a thorn in the organization's side otherwise, with repeated trade requests throughout the season and a continued icy stance towards upper management. In this scenario, Young makes the best of what he considers an unfortunate situation, but also continues to work to extricate himself from it behind the scenes.
Scenario No. 4: The apocalypse scenario, where Young either (a) outright refuses to report to spring training, or (b) pulls the Alfonso Soriano-tried-and-tested 2006 gambit and simply refuses to come up to the plate as a designated hitter in his first spring training game, despite being penciled into that spot. This assumes an especially bitter, vindictive version of Young who wants to make everyone perfectly aware of just how serious he is about not being a designated hitter -- one who is willing to risk damage to his long-term financial well-being to prove his point, and to call the organization's bluff and hopefully force his way out by the most extreme means imaginable.
When Soriano pulled a similar stunt during his first 2006 spring training game with the Washington Nationals (involving an awkward scene where Soriano never came out of the dugout to assume his post in left field with the rest of his teammates, which temporarily delayed the game), then-manager Frank Robinson was forced to make a quick defensive switch -- and immediately after the game, then-general manager Jim Bowden issued an ultimatum: play left field tomorrow, or land on the disqualified list, meaning no accrual of service time and forfeiture of his salary. Soriano, of course, relented, thereby precluding the possibility of involvement by the players' union, who could have conceivably taken up the argument on Soriano's behalf that his value would have been diminished by a move to left field.
So, either flavor of "Doomsday" Scenario No. 4 carries far-reaching implications that would probably steer what is already a nasty public rift into historically nasty territory. I cannot imagine Young's pride is so immense that it overshadows his bank account, and it is for that reason that I find Scenario No. 4 almost unbelievable ... but when he was asked what would happen if the team didn't budge from its stance, Young refused comment. And when this blew up for the first time two years ago (when he was far less angry than he is now), Young remarked: "I'm not playing third base. I'm pretty adamant about my stance." I'd like to eliminate this possibility out of hand, but it strikes me as pretty obvious why we really can't rule anything out where this thing is concerned anymore. Hell, it's virtually beyond our comprehension as it stands right now.
Let's all try to remember this little episode the next time a major league team wants to overpay for things not directly related to the happenings on the baseball field. Because this ... this is a disaster.
Analysis, The Off-Season
Reader Comments (163)
I'm sick. I seriously have a pit in my stomach as I think about all of this.
This is not how I thought I would feel with Ps and Cs coming up.
Mike Walters:
Young career OPS: .795
Murphy career OPS: .803
Napoli career OPs: .831
And, of course, Young is on the decline, while Murphy is entering his prime, and Napoli is both entering his prime AND finally moving to a hitter's park (which Young/Murphy have played in their whole careers).
I know OPS isn't the end all/be all hitting stat, but it's a good shorthand. Besides, I could go on about Young's ridiculously slanted home/road splits or the fact that Michael Young's high average is negated by a lack of walks (leaving him with a vitually identical career OBP to Napoli despite a 50 point gap in batting average).
I'm not saying you can't argue that Young is a better hitter than Murphy or Napoli. I'm just saying the numbers on their face simply don't support that, and neither do my eyes, and it is certainly FAR from crazy for me to maie this argument.
Michael Young is the 8th best hitter on this team at this stage in his career.
Joey,
I've been on this site for almost a year and I make it on two to three times a day. Over the past three weeks it has become a nightmare from certain people abusing their privileges. I cannot take more hostility and more monotonous drivel. The site is not good anymore when someone cannot state their opinion and then just let it float and move on. It's seems like there's a group of people locked in someone's basement where they have nonstop internet access while all using the same pen name.
The forum topics have also been controlled by the same dominate participant. It has quickly come a point where it's him (them) or me because this insanity has taken the site in a downward spiral like the flush of a toilet.
Thanks for the good work and for giving me a comprehensive site to enjoy during my time here and through that memorable World Series run. My best to those that also made me think a bit harder like Scooby, Pablo and the many others.
Go Rangers...............
Ah David. Good post. It's funny how one guy can do this huh?
Oh well. He is what he is.
BTW. Move back to Texas. Wisconsin stinks haha.
David,
Who is that poster who is dominating everything? For the life of me I can't figure out who you are talking about.
Joe
Aristophanes,
Hell doth not interest me - I am a saint already - for while you in this life muck around with body comedy - I - with heavenly melody - weave tales that move the soul with tragedy - feeling guilty are we?
Sophocles
46
I have official counters now that follow my every move!
I feel special
Oh so special,
I feel special and witty and bright
And I wonder
Who will be counting all my posts tonight?
Thank.....you........Adam....thanks man.......it means so much to me
It's seems like there's a group of people locked in someone's basement where they have nonstop internet access while all using the same pen name.
ROFL
That is not far from the truth!
It seems like all of you who are complaining about certain posters bring on your own pain. There's a poster here who has his own opinion on the Young situation that is different than the mainstream. I happen to disagree with it, but it's connected to enough facts to be plausible if not likely.
But instead of saying, "Well, thanks for your opinion, but I happen to disagree..but thanks for offering your interesting take on that," and then ignoring him, you continue to engage him OVER and OVER and OVER again.
I'm guessing all of you who are complaining about him must secretly enjoy the debate, because you certainly feed the fire.
Why doesn't MY do what the rest of us do? If you don't like what is going on with your job MY leave, leave your money on the table like we do and go find another job. Stop whining!! We don't get to act at our jobs like you premadona's do so as I always say, "get over yourself," and leave!!!
This is a situation where there was obviously a lack of communication. If the Rangers sit down with Young, who's obviously a sensitive guy, and map out for him what they are doing, I don't think all this happens. The Napoli signing was not to take at-bats away from Young as the DH. It was to add a RH bat to the team that can play first base and spell Moreland at first against tough left-handers. There is no way in the world the Rangers signed Napoli to be the fulltime DH, not when you look at his numbers against LH pitching (over .300) and RH pitching (about .200). The Napoli signing just made the Rangers a deeper, more versatile team. Nothing more, nothing less. IMO, both sides are at fault in this -- the Rangers for a failure to communicate and Young for being perhaps too sensitive.
once again, young is not disgruntled about being the DH and about the Beltre signing, he made that clear in his conversation with Ken Rosenthal. it has everything to do with Jon Daniels manipulating and lying to and about Michael Young who deserves that less than everyone else on the team. everyone who is hating on michael young clearly did not read into the situation correctly. oh and he never disrespected his manager if you dont know what your talking about do not formulate an opinion and please dont tell us what it is if you do