Chris Young was a major point of ridicule for Sandy Alderson this year. After passing on Nelson Cruz in the offseason, they signed Young as a buy-low candidate. What resulted was a season of turmoil in Queens before being released and turning his season around in the Bronx.
With the Mets in 2014, Young hit .205/.283/.346/.630 in 287 plate appearances. He was unable to produce, hitting just eight home runs before the Mets designated him for assignment on August 8th. “It’s just a time,” Young told Anthony McCarron of the Daily News. “You’ve just got to let it go. I did my best while I was there. I don’t have any regrets as far as anything I should’ve done different – the production should’ve been better.”
After his release, Young signed with the Yankees on August 27th and went on to be one of the lone bright spots for them down the stretch. In 79 plate appearances, Young slashed .282/.354/.521/.876 for them.
“I’m really happy that I did get this opportunity to come here, in this environment, in as big of a year as it’s been for the Yankees,” Young said. “To be surrounded by that, I’ve been able to create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Every little bit helps, for sure. I’m really grateful for that.”
Obviously Young had a lot to prove coming into this season. A highly projected prospect, Young never seemed to progress after a career year in 2010 with the Diamondbacks. With the Mets he was unable to find his swing. In the Bronx he turned into a different player and showed some of the potential that Alderson had seen back in November when they first signed him.
