After a consistent season in a limited role during the 2014 season, free-agent outfielder Delmon Young signed a one-year deal to remain with the Baltimore Orioles.
Roch Kubatko of MASN reported the news on Young’s decision:
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman added financial details:
Young, 29, has been a journeyman throughout his career, playing with five different teams over the last nine seasons. Last season was one of his best, batting .302/.337/.442 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in just 83 games with the Baltimore Orioles.
Following that season, Young made it known that he wanted at least a two-year deal, per Orioles on MASN:
During his career, Young has been a formidable player but comes with some baggage. Most recently, Young was charged with a hate crime in 2012 after a few minor league incidents when he was 19 and 20 years old.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke about taking the risk on Young last season, via John Lott of the National Post:
If you look at Delmon, he would be the first to tell you that some of his challenges have been self-inflicted. But you look at him just purely statistically, and you go, ‘Why is this guy available? … What are we missing here?’
We’re always one bad decision away from something, you know? Like I told him, none of us like to have our lives judged by our worst decision. And the big thing is, if you get an opportunity, you better run through that door, and he has. I’m proud of him.
His talent overshadowed the question marks during the 2014 season, as he came up clutch again in the postseason. Now, the Orioles have him in the lineup for late-game at-bats and potential playoff heroics.
ESPN Stats & Info points out how well Young has performed as a pinch-hitter and in the postseason:
Luckily for Baltimore, the team gets back a critical player to the lineup. After already losing both Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz this offseason, Young will be an integral part of the team.
It should be interesting to see whether or not he gets more at-bats next season. Regardless of his role, Young is another asset for the defending American League East champions.
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