As young and talented as the Washington Nationals are, there’s probably not a single trade the Phillies can make to give them a chance to win the NL East in 2013.
Compared to Placido Polanco, anything has to be an upgrade for the Philadelphia Phillies at third base, but we’re not sure Michael Young would even rank as that.
The Phillies and Texas Rangers have agreed to a trade that will send Young to Philadelphia to be the Phillies’ third baseman.
This just shows how thin teams are at third base.
The Indians and Yankees are fighting over an over-the-hill Kevin Youkilis. Scott Rolen has been in the league far too long and may finally be done. Career nomad Jeff Keppinger scored a three-year deal to play third for Tampa if (when) Evan Longoria gets hurt again.
So it may just be a sign of the times—teams can no longer rely on free agency to fill major holes in their roster. Or at least they shouldn’t.
Here are five reasons why the Young trade will not put the Phillies in contention in 2013.