The Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a trade that will send designated hitter/infielder Michael Young from the American League to the National League where he'll join the 2008 World Series champions, according to a report from USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale.
Breaking: The #Phillies deal is done. They get third baseman Michael Young from #Texas
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2012
According to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant, the deal will send Young to Philadelphia, and in return Texas will receive 25-year-old pitcher Josh Lindblom and 22-year-old pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla.
The 36-year-old Young was drafted by Toronto in 1997, but has played for the Rangers since making his MLB debut for the club back in 2000. This coming year, 2013, will mark the final year of Young's five-year, $80 million contract extension, which he signed back in 2007.
Young batted .277 in 2012, finishing the season with an on-base percentage of .312 and a slugging percentage of .370 in 611 at-bats.
The Phillies had high hopes this past season, but they finished at .500 despite fielding loads of talent. Philadelphia is hoping that acquiring Young will boost its output at the plate in 2013, helping the Phillies improve on their 19th overall ranking in terms of runs scored. Young scored 79 runs in 2012, while the Phillies scored 684 as a team.
According to Nightengale, the Phillies were able to get Young after the veteran infielder told them he didn't want a contract extension.
Young also told #Phillies in negotiationsthat he did not want an extension #rangers
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2012
Young is the Rangers' all-time leader in games played, at-bats, runs and hits, among other categories.
He is a seven-time All-Star, a Gold Glove award winner, the 2005 American League batting champion as well as the All-Star Game MVP in 2006.
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