Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
One Philadelphia radio station had a poll question on its website Friday: What is your favorite Delmon Young moment with the Philadelphia Phillies?
There were a few responses available, but the runaway winner was “his being DFA’d today.” For Phillies fans, the reaction to the team DFA-ing Young to make room for outfielder Casper Wells was not surprise, but resignation.
Young, although only 27, does not fit with the Phillies’ youth movement. While the Phillies have a lot of money committed to veterans like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, their lineups over the past couple of weeks have been peppered with younger players like third baseman Cody Asche and outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf.
Young might be a young player in terms of age — he’s only a year older than Ruf — but the Phillies needed to carry a couple of extra players just to account for Young’s bat. He was a defensive liability, so he needed a late-inning replacement. He also did not run well, so he needed a late-inning pinch runner. That many caddies for someone without true star power was not cost-effective.
Last year, Young was the perfect AL player, a designated hitter with some pop in his bat. His highlight was becoming the ALCS MVP for the Detroit Tigers and going back to the AL in a designated hitter’s capacity is probably the best way for him to prolong his career.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. signed him because he came cheap on a one-year deal for $750,000 , and because they needed some punch from the right side. He didn’t get them enough punch, though, and his departure means that can take a longer look at the players they will need for next season.
This season, like the Delmon Young Era in Philadelphia, is effectively over; and while folks are shedding tears for the season, there are none for the player.
Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
