The struggling outfielder has been DFA'd as the team's youth movement continues.
It only took the Mets a little over ten minutes after their 5-4 victory over the Phillies to make a move with embattled center fielder Chris Young.
The Mets have designated outfielder Chris Young for assignment
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 9, 2014
The move isn't all that surprising, especially with rumors swirling before the game that Young would be outright released by the club. Young never showed the form that he displayed in seven seasons with the Diamondbacks, and was nowhere close to the player that hit 27 home runs and drove in 91 RBI in a 2010 season that saw him named a National League All-Star. In 88 games with the Mets, he hit just .205 and eight home runs while driving in 28, a far cry from what the team expected when they signed him to a one-year, $7.25 million deal in November. Further making Young expendable: Juan Lagares and his strong defensive play in center throughout the season.
It looks as if Young's replacement on the roster will be Matt den Dekker, who was pulled from his game with Triple-A Las Vegas during the first inning to apparently join the club in Philadelphia for tomorrow night's game against the Phillies:
Apparently den Dekker @UpperDekker played a very good Top of the 1st. pic.twitter.com/95rCsOW4e9
— Las Vegas 51s (@LasVegas51s) August 9, 2014
This would be den Dekker's second tour of duty with the team this season; he was up during late May and through mid-June, going 7-for-45 with two doubles. He has been lighting it up with the 51's: .331 with eight home runs and 46 RBI while recording a .533 slugging percentage.
It's important to note that this is being reported by the team as a DFA, not an outright release, but it appears Young's tenure with the Mets has all but come to a close.
Alderson on Chris Young: "At some point you have to move on."
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) August 9, 2014