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The New York Yankees need a lot of help. They need a guy who can hit lefties, a guy who can play short if Derek Jeter doesn’t come back, a guy who can give Alex Rodriguez and Robison Cano a few days off at third and/or a guy who can platoon at first base with Lyle Overbay. The good news is, all of these needs can be solved by one man and his name is Michael Young.
Young got his start playing for the Texas Rangers, and was only this past year acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies. At 36, he still has a lot left; he’s currently posting a respectable .288 average with six home runs and 28 RBI’s in 89 games. Take a look at his career stats and you’ll see that he can hit — he’s had 200 hits in a season six times in his career, scored a hundred runs four times, slapped 30 or more doubles nine times and reached 90 RBI’s six times. This guy is a professional, versatile hitter who can hit anywhere from second to fifth in the lineup, maybe even leadoff if the need is dire.
In addition, Young brings his versatility to the field. In his 13-year career, he’s spent time at first base, second base, third base and shortstop, playing reasonably well at each and earning a Gold Glove in 2008. He could fill in for Jeter if he doesn’t return this season, or at least provide some much-needed days off for Yankee veterans.
I think that Michael Young would be an excellent pickup for the New York Yankees, filling many holes in their porous roster.
Kyle Massa is a New York Yankees writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylemassa, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
