Michael Young has spent his entire career with the Texas Rangers.  However, the last two seasons have been tenuous.  The Rangers asked Young to move positions numerous times and he has wanted a contract extension.  The extension never came, and now the Rangers have dealt him to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The trade was not without Young's consent though.  Young had 10/5 rights (he has ten seasons in the Majors and at least five years with the team that would be trading him), so he could block any trade.  According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Young did not block the trade and was traded to Philadelphia for pitchers Josh Lindblom and Lisalberto Bonilla.  The Phillies and the Rangers will split the additional cost of Young's contract to make up the difference of having to pay state income tax in Pennsylvania.



Young has been one of the faces of the Rangers' franchise as they rebuilt themselves into a contender.  Now, he will be helping the Phillies rebuild after a rough 81-81 finish in 2012.  Young has been in the league for 13 seasons, and is a seven-time All-Star.  Young has hit .301/.347/.444 in his career.

The Phillies did not have to give up more to get Young because he only has one season before he becomes a free agent.  If the Phillies want to keep him beyond 2013, they will have to negotiate a contract extension throughout the season.

Young remained relatively healthy in 2012, missing time only for the birth of his child.  However, he is 36 years old and the normal aches and pains of a long season can quickly turn into extended stints on the disabled list.  The Phillies will have to consider this as they decide whether to sign Young to an extension.
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