1:44pm: GM Sandy Alderson went on record with Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News (Twitter link) and called reports of Young’s potential release “simply inaccurate.”
10:20am: When asked if releasing Young is a possibility, a Mets official responded with a blunt “no,” tweets Mike Puma of the New York Post.
9:29am: A Mets insider tells Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that Chris Young’s days with the organization “are numbered.” The Mets, who would have to eat the remainder of Young’s $7.25MM salary, are debating internally whether to pull the trigger this week.
The Mets could cut ties with Young on Thursday when Juan Lagares is expected to be brought up from his rehab assignment. The Mets could free up a roster spot by demoting Kirk Nieuwenhuis to Triple-A, but they might prefer to cut Young loose instead.
The Mets are slated to face A’s left-handers Scott Kazmir and Brad Mills, so Young could have an opportunity to change minds in the club’s front office. Because of the matchups, the lefty-hitting Nieuwenhuis probably won’t get a chance to state his case for staying on the varsity squad.
General Manager Sandy Alderson signed Young to a one-year, $7.25MM deal after a rough season in Oakland where he slashed .200/.280/.379. So far, Young has followed that up with even worse offensive production. The 30-year-old is hitting .201/.284/.313 through 58 games.
Worst Signing of 2014 Nominee