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November 9, 2011 11-12 Offseason Joe Janish

A Look Back: Michael Young

From time to time during this offseason, we’re going to randomly look back at some MetsToday posts from the past and see how they look now, with the benefit of hindsight.

To start, I offer you this suggestion made in early February 2011: Would You Trade for Michael Young?

At the time, the Rangers had Young on the trading block — even offering him to the rival Angels. My wild idea was to offer Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez — or Jason Bay straight-up — in return for Young. Granted, I have no idea whether Texas would have accepted either of those offers, but to me they could have made sense for both clubs.

Of course, I had no idea that Young would wind up hitting nearly .340; to me, it would be a good deal for the Mets because it would dump two big contracts while also providing middle-infield insurance through 2013 — in case, ahem, Jose Reyes would be departing.

Look back at that article again, including the spirited comments, and come back here to discuss what might have been.

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Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Walnutz15 November 9, 2011 at 3:06 pm
    Michael Young is still a guy who does an overwhelmingly large bulk of his damage, playing in Texas.

    He may have hit better on the road this year, than in years past……still a sub-.800 OPS on the road.

    I still don’t like that gamble, taking his favorite place in the world to hit — while switching leagues so late in the game, in the process – AND coming to hit at Citi Field.

    That, and while it’s fun to reflect upon whether or not the Mets should have thrown their hat in the ring on Young……Alderson still did pretty well for himself on the Beltran deal.

    I know I never would have expected a Zack Wheeler-type prospect for him – at the start of ST.

    Like others, I’m fascinated by the Reyes situation – and am really wondering what he’ll get, and from who.

    Personally, I’d want nothing to do with the Mets at this point in my career……but that’s just me.

  2. NormE November 9, 2011 at 4:49 pm
    Walnutz,
    It’s not just you. The Mets are not an attractive franchise under the Wilpons. Their financial situation is probably going to worsen. The team is run as a mid-market operation but they play in the biggest market in the country. The payroll is shrinking and the immediate prospects for success on the field is not promising.
    Shame on Bud Selig for allowing what should be a flagship of MLB to be run in such a poor way. If I’m a free agent there are a lot more attractive teams out there.
  3. Timo November 10, 2011 at 5:37 pm
    Too bad the Mets didn’t trade Bay for Young. That would have been the best deal. However, I doubt Young would have had the season he had in a Mets uniform but he would have definitely done better than Bay did. If Young was a Mets than they would have probably traded Reyes at the trade deadline. We could have packaged Reyes and Beltran for Wheeler and 2 other top prospects. I’m sure the Giants would have done it.
    • Joe Janish November 11, 2011 at 12:07 am
      Yeah that’s a good point Timo, and furthers my argument. The two #1 picks the Mets get for Reyes are great for building for the future, but are unlikely to have an impact on the club for at least 3 years (that’s assuming one or both become at minimum, trade bait). If Alderson was able to get Wheeler for Beltran, I’d think he’d be able to get at least that much for Reyes — and who knows, maybe they would’ve been able to deal Young as well for another prospect or two.

      Whatever … this franchise is a disaster. Welcome back to 1979 … Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness ….