Dodgers Rumors: Michael Young Has Four Offers, Considering Retirement
With Spring Training about three weeks away, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still in the market for another infielder. Second base remains a question mark as Alexander Guerrero leads Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas for the Opening Day nod at the moment.
However, free agent infielder Michael Young looms as a possibility to come back to LA, but not much has been said about the Dodgers interest recently. While the 37-year-old is still generating interest on the open market, it sounds like he might hang up his cleats via Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
Sources: Michael Young has interest from four teams, decent offers, but is strongly considering retirement. MORE
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 14, 2014
Young, 37, wants to spend more time at home with his wife and three sons. That would be his reason to retire.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 14, 2014
Acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies on August 31 last season, Young underwhelmed in his brief stint with the Dodgers. While he hit .314 in limited at-bats during the regular season, it was his postseason performance that drew the ire of Dodger fans. In 10 playoff at-bats, Young had an infield single in the NLDS, but it was his two double plays in Game 1 of the NLCS that were most frustrating.
The departures of Nick Punto, Skip Schumaker and Jerry Hairston, Jr. have left the Dodgers rather thin on the bench and they don’t have a true backup to starting third baseman Juan Uribe. As of now, the Dodgers haven’t been connected to other free agent utility men Ramon Santiago, Justin Turner or Placido Polanco.
Talk of retirement isn’t new for Young as the subject was broached in late September, but at the time, he said he was more focused on winning than talking about his future plans. Now, with three weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers are still searching for another utility player for the 2014 season.
UPDATE: Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com says the Dodgers are trying to bring Young back:
They are trying to work out a deal to bring back Young, whom they acquired in a Trade Deadline deal, because he could start at second base if Guerrero isn’t ready or be a threatening bat off the bench.
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