Rangers icon Michael Young is the Phillies' new third baseman.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro made it clear going into the offseason that two of his priorities were to acquire a center fielder and a third baseman. The former was checked off his list as the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., were wrapping up on Thursday with the deal that brought Ben Revere from the Twins for right-handers Vance Worley and Trevor May.
The second got done on Saturday, when Young agreed to waive his no-trade clause. In return, the Rangers will receive right-handed reliever Josh Lindblom and a Minor League pitcher, Lisalverto Bonilla, who represented the Phillies in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.
Young, 36, the Rangers' all-time leader in games, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles and triples, has the right to veto any trade. However, staying in Texas would likely have meant a utility role and less playing time. With the Phillies, he will be penciled in as the everyday third baseman. Injuries to Placido Polanco meant the team had seven different players start at least one game at the hot corner in 2012: Polanco, Kevin Frandsen, Mike Fontenot, Ty Wigginton, Pete Orr, Michael Martinez and Hector Luna.
Young played in 156 games for the Rangers last season, batting .277 with eight homers, 67 RBIs and a .682 OPS.
The Rangers are expected to pick up at least $10 million of the $16 million Young will make in 2013.
