Delmon Young signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies for a measly $750,000 in what Philadelphia hopes will be a worthy gamble.
The Top pick in the 2003 MLB Draft, Delmon Young was once regarded as a top developing hitter. But a torrid past that saw Delmon Young throw a bat at an umpire (50 game suspension in 2008) and a run-in with the law while drunk, has since tarnished the attractive glow of potential.
GM Rubin Amare Jr. however, sees things differently:
"We did a lot of due diligence on what kind of person he is," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I think more than anything else, the conclusion we came up with is he made a mistake, and whatever is written about him in the past doesn't really depict the kind of person he is. Obviously, we want to have good character guys in our clubhouse, and I think he's going to be one." - The Miami Herald
The idea here is to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time. Much like they did with Jayson Werth, the Phillies are hoping that they can find a diamond-in-the-rough for a fraction of the cost. With an additional $3 million dollars in potential earning also available, the Phillies are hoping Delmon Young will find the new digs and deal to be just enough to revive his career—at the very least, provide some spark so the Phillies can get some power from the outfield.
Fantasy Spin:The Phillies have admitted that Delmon Young could begin the season on the DL, so keep this in mind. Delmon Young, much like the rest of Philadelphia's corner outfield, will be a risky venture. Young hasn't really lived up to the hype that surrounded him some 4 or 5 years ago, and has really only had one solid season in 2010.
Still, Young is expected to be the everyday starter in right field as it stands now, and Young does have power potential as a hitter, despite his penchant for whiffs.
Grabbing Young any earlier than the back end of your draft would be a waste of a pick, and I'm not even convinced yet he's worth a selection at all, but you could do far worse than Delmon Young. If you fancy yourself a gambling owner, roll the dice.
If caution is the name of the game for you, let him fall to the waiver wire which is the more likely scenario in shallow leagues.
