By trading for Delwyn Young, the Pirates did not necessarily add to their glut of outfielders.
"We're going to challenge him and see if we can do something with him at second base to make him a versatile bat off the bench -- with upside to be something more," general manager Neal Huntington said Wednesday. The Pirates picked up Young, 26, from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for either two minor leaguers to be named or cash.
"He's a player we've liked for a while," Huntington said. "With what we're giving up, it definitely is a worthwhile risk."
Young, who is out of minor-league options, will report Friday and will be added to the major-league roster. The Pirates likely will send utility infielder Luis Cruz to Triple-A Indianapolis.
To create room for Young on the 40-man roster, pitcher Dave Davidson yesterday was designated for assignment.
Delwyn Young's
major-league statistics:
Year
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
SB
AVG.
2006
8
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
2007
19
34
4
13
1
1
2
3
1
.382
2008
83
126
10
31
9
0
1
7
0
.246
Young was drafted as a second baseman in 2002, when the Dodgers made him a fourth-round pick. However, he hasn't regularly played at second since 2005, when he made a combined 126 appearances in Double- and Triple-A.
A switch-hitter, Young has a .267 career batting average over parts of three seasons in the majors. He went on the disabled list near the end of spring training with pain in his surgically repaired right elbow.
"It's an intriguing bat," Huntington said. "Aggressive from both sides of the plate. We've liked the bat for a long time. The question was always the defense."
The Pirates are eager for Young to start working with infield instructor Perry Hill.
"That's why we have the best infield coach in the world," manager John Russell said. "It will be good for him to get around Perry."
If he succeeds at second base, Young will not steal at-bats from the outfield trio of Nyjer Morgan, Nate McLouth and Brandon Moss. He will not stand in the way of up-and-comers Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata.
Most importantly, Young could become the replacement for second baseman Freddy Sanchez, whose contract is up after this season.
Or, if that fails ...
"There's been some talk that maybe he can play third," Huntington said. "He certainly has the arm strength to play third. The reaction and movements are very different at the two positions, but typically if a guy can play in the middle, he can go to a corner."
