The Red Sox already have Rusney Castillo and Mookie Betts hitting from the right side in their outfield, but I suppose Young could be a platoon partner for Jackie Bradley Jr.
Advertisement
Remaining busy Monday, the club also outrighted infielder Josh Rutledge, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfielder Shane Victorino, to Triple-A Pawtucket after he cleared waivers. He hit. 327 against lefties with a. 972 OPS.
Young spent last season with the Yankees, hitting.252/.320/.453 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI – most of that damage coming against lefthanders. 837 OPS – with the career OPS being a tick below players like Jonny Gomes, Hunter Pence, Dustin Pedroia, and Carlos Beltran.
Young’ s career numbers against righties are far less impressive.
At the start of the offseason, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski set out to find a fourth outfielder (preferably a veteran right-handed bat to offset utility lefty bats Brock Holt and Travis Shaw) to complement the young trio for next season.
Of course, the addition of Young also makes it easier for the Sox to use a player like Bradley as a trade chip.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal is reporting on Twitter that the deal is contingent on Young passing a physical exam. His presence is insurance for the Red Sox, which experienced hot and cold streaks from Castillo and Bradley.
The Red Sox are hoping to learn from their mistakes, however.
MLB.com’s Mike Petriello was quick to weigh in on the news, stating, “Young is a very nice piece for [Boston], but he’s not really an everyday starter, and isn’t someone that forces a trade to happen”. Sizemore hadn’t played in the majors in over two years at the time of the signing.
Advertisement
In other words, the Red Sox aren’t swapping out pieces.
