MLB notebook: Phillies reportedly get Young from Rangers
BY Associated Press
Sunday, December 09, 2012
12/09/12 at 6:52 AM
Michael Young chose a full-time role over staying home.
A person familiar with the trade said the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired the seven-time All-Star infielder from the Texas Rangers for two relief pitchers.
Young agreed to waive his no-trade clause on Saturday, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced. The Rangers also will pay a significant portion of Young's salary for 2013. Young is due to earn $16 million, and reports stated the Phillies will pay him only about $6 million of it.
Young, who has spent all 12 of his seasons in the majors with the Rangers, leaves as the club's career leader in hits (2,230) and other categories, including runs, doubles and triples. He has a .301 career average with 177 homers, 984 RBIs and a .347 on-base percentage.
The Phillies sent right-hander Josh Lindblom and minor league righty Lisalverto Bonilla to the Rangers to get Young, who fills a void at third base.
Young batted .277 with eight homers and 67 RBIs in 2012, a down year for him. In the nine previous seasons, Young hit at least .300 seven times and averaged 17 homers and 90 RBIs.
Source says Dodgers trying to close deal for Greinke: Free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke and the Los Angeles Dodgers tried to close a deal Saturday night worth $147 million over six years, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Greinke is the top arm on the open market, and has attracted interest from the Dodgers, Texas and the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old righty started last season with Milwaukee and was later traded to the Angels, going a combined 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA.
The 2009 AL Cy Young winner with Kansas City would be the latest high-priced player to be acquired by the Dodgers. They traded for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, pitcher Josh Beckett and outfielder Carl Crawford late last season.
Ludwick, Reds reportedly reach deal: A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick is returning to the Cincinnati Reds for a two-year contract worth $15 million.
The person spoke Saturday under condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement about the agreement.
The 34-year-old Ludwick hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs while helping Cincinnati win the NL Central.
