The Baltimore Orioles have signed outfielder/designated hitter Delmon Young to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Jon Heyman of CBSSprots.com tweets that Young will receive a $1 million base salary with up to $750,000 in incentives.
Young started 2013 with the Philadelphia Phillies, but was designated for assignment on August 14 after hitting .261/.302/.397 in 80 games. He finished the season with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting .258/.329/.452 in 23 games.
At this point in my blogpost you might be reading this and thinking to yourself, “sure, I know who Delmon Young is, but wasn’t he in the news recently for something horribly awful?” HE WAS!
While with the Tigers in 2012, Young was arrested in New York City for aggravated harassment as a hate crime. The New York Police Department said he yelled an anti-Semitic slur while he was intoxicated. He was released on $5,000 bail and was suspended for seven games. He later pleaded guilty on November 7 and was sentenced to 10 days of community service and ordered to attend a program at the Museum of Tolerance.
Aside of that, Young is a 28 year old former first overall draft pick who has never quite figured it out. He’s a career .282/.316/.423 hitter who can serve as another left field option for the Birds along with Nolan Reimold, David Lough and Francisco Peguero. Though, he’s a below average defender.
Young could also be used in a platoon role as he’s a .303/.341/.471 hitter against left handed pitching.
Image Credit: Keith Allison
Hey, as long as this is just a move for depth, I’m OK with it. But, can Young pitch?!?!