This may sound familiar, but the Mets are seriously thinking about cutting ties with the disappointing outfielder.
Chris Young avoided the chopping block earlier this season, but the Mets are once again considering letting him go.
According to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin:
"the Mets are considering releasing Chris Young and promoting Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Las Vegas soon rather than waiting until rosters expand on Sept. 1 and carrying both players."
Similar reports spread in late June, but the 30-year-old promptly salvaged his roster spot by belting three home runs in the ensuing two games against the Oakland Athletics. Maybe the Mets will just keep threatening to cut him once every month for the brief jolt of production he responds with.
Young, whom the Mets gambled on with a one-year, $7.25 million deal, is hitting a robust .205/.283/.346 with a minus-0.4 fWAR. They took a flier on him returning to the 20/20 man of old when he patrolled the outfield for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he has instead matched his dismal output from last season.
Matt den Dekker, on the other hand, is hitting .334/.407/.540 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. The 26-year-old hasn't displayed that same success in the majors, batting .184 in 112 career plate appearances with the Mets, but his defensive work draws ample praise.
This goes along with the team's declared dedication to youth during the closing stretch. There's no point in playing a failed signing that has worn out his welcome, so they might as well move on with den Dekker and Kirk Nieuwenhuis vying for the final vacant outfield spot.