Filed:January 12th, 2009


Could have seen it coming.

As soon as I saw the news out of Texas that Michael Young was demanding a trade, I figured it was but hours before the grumblings and rumors started in the blogosphere about the Cubs acquiring his talents from the Rangers. It appears so. Admittedly there is a need, and while certainly an upgrade, I find even the idea of Michael Young wearing a Cubs uniform unfathomable.

Disclaimer: I love the Texas Rangers. They're one of my top five teams, and have been for some time. The Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, and of course the Cubs fill that five out, by the way. I got hooked in the late '80s, when Nolan Ryan was striking out everything in sight for them, and Bobby Witt was just turning into the source of frustration that he was destined to become. I've watched them from a distance casually for a while, and with a very critical eye over the last few seasons.

So, as a casual -- well, maybe a bit more so than casual -- fan, I've seen the trials and tribulations of that franchise, and taken some note. In my opinion, there are three things that have consistently done them in. First, is the inability to produce and develop starting pitching of any significance. It's the 800-pound gorilla in the room that they've ignored for the last 25 years. Second. a willingness to ignore their lack of pitching, preferring to overpay for offense instead. And lastly, the hubris of owner Tom Hicks.

The last two bring me back to Michael Young. His 80 million-dollar contract extension in 2007 was an utter and complete head scratcher at the time, for a variety of reasons.

For example, why did they do it two years before his current contract expired?

Why five years and 80 million dollars at a time when even the inflated free agent market wouldn't have netted him that? The worst case would have been waiting to negotiate in the open market instead, where they likely still wouldn't have paid much more than this; probably less.

Why after a year in which his OPS had dropped almost 100 points from the previous season, giving some indications that he may have already peaked?

And most importantly, why did they structure the agreement so that the extension would go into effect during Young's age 32 season, rather than tearing up the old deal, and starting this one in 2007? Why would any small market team pay 16 million dollars for a 37 year-old shortstop, who was already showing hints of decline?

And let's not forget the question that I personally grappled with the most; if the defense of Young was anything close to that value, given the bandbox that the Rangers play in, why weren't they drafting or acquiring pitchers with stronger ground ball tendencies, to maximize his value? A few years ago, his defense was quite good, and frankly, that strategy would likely have netted them a few more wins.

Well, now as Young's offensive stats have deteriorated further, the icing on the cake is that he's refusing to move off short for a better solution, in 20-year old Elvis Andrus. Putting aside the fact that he's actually earned the right to stay at his position -- or be traded someplace that will let him stay there -- and that he's a ridiculously bad third base solution, is the fact that the albatross of a contract now becomes a chemistry problem for the team, to boot. And a completely needless one, at that.

Frankly, heads should be rolling in Texas for this nutty contract, and likely would were it not for Tom Hick's direct involvement. But any general manager -- I'm talking to you especially Jim Hendry -- that would consider getting involved in this Titanic of a deal even as the boat is sinking, should seriously consider stepping down. Or their team's owner should remove them.

In a nutshell, at the rapid rate of Young's offensive decline, the Rangers will likely effectively be paying 16 million dollars annually for Ceasar Izturis in less than another couple of seasons. They made a huge mistake when they chose not to let Young walk away after this season, or at least wait to negotiate with him on the open market. I can only hope that Hendry isn't considering doubling-down on the Young debacle.