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MLB Free Agency – Red Sox sign outfielder Chris Young

By Kyle Franzoni

Sep 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Chris Young (24) hits an RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Chris Young (24) hits an RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox added some veteran depth, signing outfielder Chris Young to a multi-year contract on Monday.

The Boston Red Sox came into the winter looking to add some veteran depth to their young outfielder. Ironically, they did so on Monday by inking a player with the last name Young.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Boston has come to an agreement with former Yankees outfielder Chris Young on a multi-year deal.

The 32-year-old Young finished 4th in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2007, when he hit 32 home runs, drove in 68 runs, and stole 27 bases for the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, high strike-out totals and an inability to adjust left him on a vagabond journey through baseball over the last three seasons, with time spent with the Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and New York Yankees.

It was with the New York Yankees that Young appeared to finally embrace his role and come into his own. Over a year-plus as a 4th outfielder, Young hit .257/.326/.465 with the Yankees, adding 17 home runs and 52 RBI over 435 plate appearances. Most of that damage was done with a solid platoon split against left-handed pitching, which Young ate up to the tune of .327/.397/.575 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 2015.

With the Red Sox, Young will likely carry a similar to his Yankee days, providing depth to a young outfield. Boston enters the winter with Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Rusney Castillo slated to be the starters, but neither Bradley or Castillo have a full season under their belts and Boston could dangle one of the two this winter in a trade to land a starter.

By signing with Boston, Chris Young gets the multi-year security he wants, even if he doesn’t likely feature in a starting role. It also gives Boston the flexibility they need to determine how to attack the rest of the winter.

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