Schwimer could end being the guy who goes to Texas
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Schwimer could end being the guy who goes to Texas
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
NASHVILLE -- If the Phillies are able to successfully complete a trade to acquire third baseman Michael Young from the Texas Rangers, the deal could ultimately be judged on what becomes of the players who go the other way.
According to the Dallas Morning News, which reported Wednesday night that the Rangers and Phillies were in "advanced talks" about a trade involving Young, Texas would get a young big-league reliever and a low-level prospect in return.
The Phillies, of course, had a lot of young relievers take the mound in 2012 with varying results. The one reliever they'd probably most be willing to part with is righthander Michael Schwimer, who has a big arm but also infuriated management when he complained of a sore arm after being optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley in late August. He was not among the September additions.
Lefties Jake Diekman and Jeremy Horst and righthanders Justin DeFratus and Phillippe Aumont are probably the four young relievers the Phillies would least like to part with. That leaves righthanders Josh Lindblom and B.J. Rosenberg as two other candidates to go to the Rangers.
As for Young, a seven-time all-star, he has primarily been a designated hitter the last two seasons for the Rangers. He played 155 games at third base in 2010, but only 65 the last two seasons after Texas signed Adrian Beltre. If Young does come to Philadelphia, it's likely to be for only one season because the Phillies believe Cody Asche could be ready to play in the big leagues by 2014.
Comments (34)
Bob, does this mean Bastardo is safe? Is he not considered a "young reliever" because he's closer to arbitration?— mjb12981- They should have gotten him two years ago.— towman
- Move #1 fixes the third base problem. Also, frees up money for Texas to sign either Hamilton or Greinke, whichever one they want. Having solved their third base problem for $8 million - that leaves enough money to sign Bourn - move # 2.— joberzut
- Would rather see them trade for Olt. I remember watching a lot of games lasy year with the Rangers and Young looked like he was just going through the motions. Not impressed.— candidly
- Towman: good memory, you are correct.
Send Schwimer somewhere, anywhere.
Michael Young could be the Pedro Feliz of 2013, with perhaps an even better bat. Plus, he is a character guy.— Cazptain Philadelphia - Feliz was a better fielder by a mile.— EL Zorro
- How is this possible? Teams actualy covet Schwimer? Is this is the twilight zone?— bdd5014
- Who's the better fielder at 3B? Young or Wiggy?— Grazman
- He could'nt Swchwimer there fast enough!We would be better of with David Schwimer from Friends!— TheOnionPeeler
- Schwimer was tough to watch...I'd trade him for a bowl of chili and a bottle of Lone Star.— Real names are preferred, though optional
- Dave Schwinner is a Scott Boris client who whined last season because he said/she said about an injury when he was sent back to Lehigh Valley. He wanted to be DL'd on the major league roster to continue building MLB time and keep the clock ticking. Good move for both teams I'd say. They get a young reliever who wore out his welcome in Philly, we get some stability at 3B.— drhoffman
- Young committed only 19 errors at third in 2010 when he was an every day third baseman. Rollins can play more in the hole at short to help out with the lack of range at third. The good news is that Young will be only 37 years old in October, a full year younger than Polly.— Dull
- Young has been gold glove winner in past but Beltre outstanding at 3B. Blogger has it correct it enables Texas to free up money for Hamilton maybe even Greinke. Phills still looking for CF. Of what is left I would hope for Bourn but with Boras as his agent not optimistic. Boras may have cost Madson millions in 2012. Nobody knows whar happened in 2012 Madson deal but Amaro and Boras. In hindsight Phills lucked out what with Madson injury. Manuel talking about fixing Phills OF corners. I feel Ruf and Brown may be big surprise. I know Im in the minority with Brown. Still Brown is 25 and if knee injury behind his talent could emerge.— Don w
After his outburst last year, Schwimmer's days were numbered. No loss if he's the one to go. Young would be a decent bridge to Asche next year.
Gonna go clean out my trunk, because I am personally volunteering to drive Schwimer to the airport to get him out of town. I'd trade him for a bag of baseballs; if the Rangers want to throw in a legitimate major-league hitter who could help until Asche is ready, so be it.— Doctor D- Love the move. Do it now. 3rd base fielding upgrade, good in the room, hits for average, no long term commitment. Schwimmer is a dime a dozen. I saw Cody Asche in Reading and he has the tools to be the next 3rd baseman in 2014. Now, about CF...........— athousandgods
- If the Phillies are interested in a older player for 3B who has lost range and his glove is suspect than make an inquiry about Scott Rolen who still has range and i a better Glove. It would be another 1 year deal for both, so I guess it is a wash.— jpelle36
- With the Ben Revere acquisition, the need for a RH power bat is now magnified. If Texas can get Young to not exercise his 10 & 5 rights, I think the deal has to get done. But I do like jpelle36's argument for Rolen, although who knows how many games you'd get with him. Rolen would be more risky than Young.— Dave14
- Oh come on, really.....Michael Young?? Yes, 3 years ago I was all for this, but not now. Even with Texas paying half his salary, he's not worth 8 million a year!!! Leave Frandsen over there at third if you can't get anyone decent. Save some money, a lot of money, and you're not really losing that much if it's only for one year.— Flimbis
- Michael Young is an exciting prospect because he is so versatile and is a major leager in every sense of the word. I've seen him play first, second, short, third and the outfiled and he does a professional job qgerever he plays. He carries a good bat too. He is getting a little long in the tooth but I'd be willing to risk a prospect that he still has a decent year or two in the tank.— gotedge
- Acquiring Young is an okay move, especially if it doesn't cost anything other than Schwimmer. They still haven't addressed their RH power problem. Now sign Cody Ross, Rube.— Sam Crow
- After adding Revere and Young do the Phils try Ruff or go with another power RF ? Are the Phils adding a Free agent pitcher to replace Worley or do they think someone from AAA is ML worthy?— HTBNM#
- With Ben Revere, and assuming Michael Young in the fold, the Phils STILL need a corner OF. They would be foolish to count on an unproven Darin Ruf and Dom Brown for a full season in left and right respectively. Sign a Cody Ross type for right field and platoon Ruf/Brown in left. Outside of Howard, you may not have added a huge power threat, but Young, Ross, and Ruf/Brown combo are maybe good for 15-20 each. You added speed with Revere, and if he progresses as a hitter, you add to the overall team OBP.
You still need RP help and now decent 4th SP.— the dad - I don't understand getting a speedster with power and then wanting to add a slow Michael Young to compensate for Revere's lack of power. Revere is another thing that we have got an excess of - a lefthanded batter.
Go after a Dee Gordon and put him on third. Load up the top of your lineup with speed (Gordon, Revere and Rollins ) and let Howard, Utley, Ruf, Ruiz and Brown bring them home.
You don't need Michael Young !
— candidly - In 2011 Young led the league in hitting with a .338 avg. He struggled alot last yr but still hit close to .275 in what was his 1st real down year. He's a pros pro type of player. Brings leadership when he steps on the field. Only has 1 yr left on his deal and Texas would cover a majority of the money, leaving us to pay only 5-6 million. Despite being old he rarely gets hurt, and Frandsen is still there to split some time. I really hope he waives his no trade clause. He's an average type hitter who based on his last several years probably should see a slight improvement from last years down season. Anything over .280 would be great and imo that's a very realistic number for him to reach, if not surpass. Not to mention Ruben would have solidified both CF and 3B for roughly 6-7 million dollars. Considering how position players everywhere are getting seriously overpaid that's a huge steal. Rube still needs the icing on the cake though, a power threat to take over the 5 spot and play RF(Not a C.Ross fan) and to find our 8th inning guy(Adams?). Also needs to replace Worley, but the market for starters is still in its infancy. I don't know about the rest of you, but i'm optimistic(assuming Young ok's the deal) about how things are going. It's easy to just throw top dollar at the best player and be done, but it takes patience and creativity to fill several needs with a limited budget.— Stephen45
- "BIG ARM"??? i have never seen a dude the size of schwimer with such a rag arm.— CosmoK
- with his declining skills and the cost in terms of $$ and player(s), I'd rather see them try to sign Reynolds on a short term deal. He plays lousy defense too [lots of late inning D substituions!], but he'll hit 30 HRs at CBP alone. I understand they believe Asche is the 3B of the future, but the cost for one yr of a declining Young is to steep— windmill91
- Reynolds is awful defensively, Young is not great, but but he is WAY better than Wiggy and even a notch above Frandsen. The guy can really hit, and he is right handed. An excellent stop-gap until Asche is ready, or they can get Jimmy to move over there.— Paul SoTX
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forget Young, go for mike Olt, a superstar ready to happen. Make an offer of Dom Brown, Schwimer, and Sebastian Valle for Olt.— Philvegas - I agree with Doctor D. I'd give up Schwimmer in a heartbeat and also wouldn't shed a tear if Bastardo goes too.— joemotrucks
- The arm Philly sends is unimportant. Its just a lottery ticket that the Rangers might hit with. What is important is opening up playing time for Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar plus the salary relief.— kornholio
- The arm Philly sends is unimportant. Its just a lottery ticket that the Rangers might hit with. What is important is opening up playing time for Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar plus the salary relief.— kornholio
- Michael Young will give Philly more than they got from Polanco in year 1 of his deal (which was very good). Young is in the last season of his 5 year deal, so he also has incentive to perform for that "last" 2-3 yeard deal to play baseball. He is a charachter guy who is professional and will keep the clubhouse in check too. Young will NOT be allowing ANY current Phillie to "jog" out a ground out or pop up. He can only be a positive influence on a team that needs a good kick in the arse.— drhoffman
- Who'd miss him?— orange rhino
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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