When the Minnesota Twins completed a six-player deal for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and Jason Pridie for Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, and Eduardo Morlan, many questioned whether the Twins made the right move.
In his two seasons with the Rays, Young accumulated 16 home runs, 103 RBI, 226 hits, and 12 stolen bases.
To be honest, some players have better seasons than that in just one year.
The Twins, at the time, were desperate to add another power bat into the lineup in order to keep up with the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians. Minnesota traded one of their best up-and-coming pitchers in Matt Garza and a talented defensive shortstop in Jason Bartlett to get the struggling former No. 1 overall pick.
As a Twins fan, I was disappointed in the acquisition. I felt as though Matt Garza was going to be a No. 2 starter in the rotation in the future. Where we stand now, it’s clear to see that Minnesota ended up getting the better of the deal.
In 2008, Delmon Young cranked out 10 homers, 69 RBI, 167 hits, and a .290 average in 152 games. The following year, Young had 12 home runs, 60 RBI, 112 hits, and averaged .284 at the plate. It’s no surprise that Minnesota fans wanted Delmon Young’s head on a plate or to be simply traded away.
It’s a good thing that we don’t run the organization.
Thus far in 2010, Delmon has hit 12 home runs, 73 RBI, 104 hits and is averaging an outstanding .325. These stats include Delmon Young’s four-hit, three-RBI performance tonight against the worst team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles.
Currently, he ranks fourth in the American League in RBI behind Vladimir Guerrero of the Rangers (76), Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees (78), and Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (86). I can personally guarantee that nobody expected Delmon to be in the top five of any major category in the American League.
If Young can continue the pace he’s been on for the past two weeks, he could be a serious contender for the AL MVP award. Delmon has gone from being eighth in the lineup to as high as fourth.
At only 24 years of age, Minnesota fans will be seeing a lot of Delmon Young in the near future. If the MLB had a comeback player of the year award, I would be the first to say that Delmon Young is definitely most deserving of the award.
Don’t be shocked to see Mr. Young playing in the 2011 All-Star game next year if he continues to progress in his game. I guess dropping 30 pounds in the offseason really did pan out for the young slugger.
If the Twins can acquire a top-notch pitcher, get Justin Morneau healthy, and have Jason Kubel start hitting again, they will become the team to beat in the American League.
It’s going to be an exciting stretch for the next two months, Twins fans.
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