The Mets have officially announced the signing of right-hander Chris Young this afternoon as well as that of outfielder Scott Hairston to one year deals.
GM Sandy Alderson spoke glowingly about Young in a press release,
“Chris has the potential to make a big contribution this year. We were together in San Diego when he was one of the most dominating pitchers in the league and we feel he’s a good fit for Citi Field.”
Young, 31, became a free agent after several injury-plagued seasons prompted the Padres to decline his $8.5 million option for 2011. Missing nearly all of last season with a strained right shoulder, Young has made just 26 big league starts over the last three years, following three consecutive seasons in which he started at least 30 games, won at least nine and posted an ERA no higher than 4.26.
The 6-foot-10 Young, one of the tallest players in Major League history, is 48-34 with a 3.80 ERA over a seven-year career with the Rangers and Padres.
Earlier today Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, reported that the deal was complete and said that like Chris Capuano, Young can earn a total of $4.5 million with incentives. His base salary is expected to be $1.1 million according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
I hope Young can give the Mets at least 175 innings this season, and if those innings are anything like he had at the close of lost season, this could be a huge win for the Mets.
