It may come as a bit of shock, but the Florida Marlins aren’t done with their offseason shopping. Foxsports.com is reporting that the Marlins are interested in Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young who recently demanded a trade.
Currently, the Marlins are entering Spring Training with the intention to have 21-year old Matt Dominguez, who hit .252 with 14 home runs and 81 RBIs in Double A Jacksonville last season, become the starter.
The Marlins interest in Young comes a surprise since the team is entering Spring Training set with their revamped bullpen and complete starting rotation from the first time in years and seem to have met their budget in terms of payroll for the upcoming season, projected to be in the $50-$60 million range.
However, for a trade to happen, the Marlins would need the Rangers to take on the majority of the remaining salary, diminishing the chances a trade would happen anytime soon.
The 34-year-old Young is due $16 million in each of the next three seasons, and he currently has a no trade clause which he would have to waive in the Marlins case since they are on his no-trade list for approval being any action is made.
Such a trade would have to involve players not relevant to the Marlins to compete, so minor leaguers would be at the forefront of trade discussions. A trade would also surely keep Dominguez in the minor leagues for a season more, possibly at Triple A New Orleans, a level he hasn’t played in yet.
Long-term scenarios would impact Omar Infante’s tenure with the Marlins who is playing on the last year of his contract. He would be the odd man out after this season with Young likely sliding back to second base and Dominguez playing at third base in 2012.
If a trade seems far fetched, remember, the Marlins will be entering their new digs in 2012, when they move into their 37,000 retractable dome stadium in downtown Miami and such move would likely pave the way for Young to take his talents to South Beach.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com