Does Young in Philly Make Sense?

Even though I think the Rangers really have never had any intention of giving in to Michael Young's trade demands unless they're just knocked off their feet by an offer, at least one top-notch team apparently was/is interested in the Rangers veteran infielder/designated hitter.

The Phillies have their own iconic second baseman in Chase Utley, but he's been in a pretty steady, unexpected decline in the last couple of years. And some bad news was revealed when an MRI showed Utley is suffering from patellar tendinitis in his right knee. When he will make his spring debut in Florida is unknown.

At least one columnist, Philadelphia Daily News' Paul Hagen, says the Phillies were more interested than some people might realize in acquiring Young.

As I said, the Rangers aren't in any hurry to deal Young. He's still a valuable part of the team, the batting lineup and the overall clubhouse chemistry. He's also still owed $46 million over the next three years and the Rangers will be damned if they are going to pay much, if any, of Young's remaining salary if he's piling up hits in another uniform.

Not many teams would be willing to pick up Young's remaining salary, but the Phillies would be one of those teams. They're one of the weathiest clubs in MLB, right up there with the Yankees and Red Sox, and they could make it work. But you have to remember, the Phillies gutted their farm when they acquired Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt over the last year. The Rangers, said Hagen, will want more than the promising prospects that are four or five years away that the Phillies have to offer, as well they should.

So don't hold your breath if you're waiting for Young to be dealt, it's probably not going to happen. But if there's one team that possibly could, it'd be the Phillies. They at least have the need, unlike the Yankees or Red Sox.

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