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Free-agent pitcher Chris Young, who helped the Kansas City Royals to a World Series championship, has reportedly secured a deal to keep him in the majors for a 12th season. 

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported on Monday morning that Young and the Royals have agreed to a two-year contract for about $11.75 million.

The New York Post‘s Joel Sherman first reported on Sunday that the Royals and Young were approaching a two-year contract in the “$10-$11 million range.”

At 36 years old, Young went 11-6 with a 3.06 ERA in his first season with the Royals. He went 1-0 in the World Series, posting a 2.57 ERA in just two games. 

Young, who was out of baseball for a year in 2013, provided a veteran presence and innings-eater near the bottom of the Royals rotation last season and will do the same moving forward if the deal is completed. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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Only the Mets can find a way to not keep a pitcher who wins, or contends for a Cy Young award. The New York Mets have a lot of roster spots to fill, and no money to fill them. Is the best strategy to spend all of their money on re-signing David Wright and R.A. Dickey, leaving all their holes unfilled?

I don’t think that is a wise choice. The Mets have a lot of players leaving via Free Agency, but some players who are under contract for 2013 may not be here as well. 

Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson is tasked with changing the makeup of this team, and it starts with the departure of the Knuckballer, who had one of the best seasons in franchise history.

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The Mets are playing their way out of playoff contention just as fast as they found themselves within reach of the postseason.

New York is now 11.5 games behind Washington for first place in the National League East and are stuck in third behind Atlanta.

The Mets can make a play at the wild card, but they are still 7.5 games behind the Braves for a shot at the postseason.

For New York to make it to October, they will not only have to overcome their own shortcomings, but they will need some spectacular performances from key players. If a perfect storm of strong play and luck blows through Queens in the next month, the Mets could be in place to make a run at the playoffs.

Here are a few players who will need to be at the top of their game for the Mets to even come close at the playoffs.

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Since free agency began in 1976, the New York Mets have had some hits and misses. Some players, like Carlos Beltran, proved to be good, while others didn’t do as well.

Whether by statistical underperformance, ego problems or injury, whomever was GM at the time really screwed up when they tabbed these people. 

With the midpoint of the offseason upon us, here are the 10 worst free-agent signings in team history. Be wary, though, some moves will surprise you. 

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It is a debatable topic, but after Chris Young’s first Mets start against the Philadelphia Phillies some can and will make the case that, just maybe, he can win 15 games. Is it possible?

Just as it is with the team in general, Young was not expected to be a huge part of the Mets’ starting rotation coming into this season. After all, Young has been sidelined with injuries that have depleted his number of starts the last two season (32 starts with San Diego).  

However, with what you saw against the Phils, as Young was able to navigate his way through one of the toughest one through five hitter lineups in the game, just maybe with some consistency and some confidence, a gem could emerge. 

Just as it was with Mike Pelfrey before him, Young has yet to win 15 games in his career. Pelfrey did it last year, and while you can make the argument that the two are at different places in their careers, at the age of 31, perhaps now is the time for Chris Young.

Now, the biggest key for Young will be, in addition to his confidence, continuing to rebuild his arm strength to where he can maybe get to 200 innings this season—something he has not done—which would be a big key to him achieving that 15-win total. 

I’m not worried about his pitch selection, nor the execution of his pitches. Endurance and health are the big keys here. We’ll see where it goes. A few will say yes; most will say no. For Chris Young after one start, so far, so good, but some would say, so what?

Korbid Thompson can be found at the Extra Bases with Korbid Thompson blog, and also heard on the New York Mets Audio Minute at Lexy.

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Chris Young has always been a tantalizing player with the capability to be a top tier pitcher, but he’s never been able to prove his prowess over the long run. A plethora of injuries have allowed him to pitch no more than 180 innings in a single season during his major league career, and over the last three seasons, he has maxed out at 102 innings in 2008.

Young’s two best statistical seasons came in 2006 and 2007, his lone All-Star season, with the Padres:

Sometimes with pitchers, they have that little something special where you can just tell that they work on a different level than most other people. Chris Young definitely had that extra something, and that was why the Padres went so many years just hoping to be able to capture it for an entire season.

Unfortunately, Young’s appearances became less and less in future seasons, culminating with only four games and 20 innings in 2010. Even in that brief glimpse, he left you wanting more with a .90 ERA and 2-0 record.

The Mets are a team without a lot of expectations heading into the season, and they had a couple low risk signings over the offseason with Young being perhaps the most notable.

The upside here with a healthy season is high, especially considering Young’s penchant as a fly ball pitcher in the spacious confines of Citi Field.

This spring, Young has looked solid with a 1.33 ERA through 20.1 innings. And better yet, he’s stayed healthy and reportedly felt strong topping out at 100 pitches in a minor league outing.

While expecting 200 innings may be a stretch, having a solid performer who contributes 120-140 innings could be within reason for what should be a late round low risk pick.

2011 Fantasy Forecast: 9-5, 3.25 ERA, 100 K, 1.15 WHIP

Previous Bounce Back Selections: Pablo Sandoval, Justin Upton, Jimmy Rollins, Jason Bay, Russell Martin, Ian Kinsler, Lance Berkman

Brian is a Senior Writer for 4thandHome.com where this, and other work, can be found. Additionally, he is co-host of the 4th and Home Radio show on Blog Talk Radio.

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In my previous post, we took an in-depth look at the Mets everyday lineup. It is clear that if everyone remains healthy, the Mets could put up some pretty big numbers with the bat; however, the big question mark that remains with this baseball team is pitching.

Johan Santana will miss the first half of the year after season-ending shoulder surgery last September.

There were reports a few weeks ago that Santana would miss the entire 2011 season, but the lefty disputed those claims, stating that he is on pace to return to the Mets in June at the earliest.

If the Mets had Johan Santana healthy, this would be a pretty good looking rotation, but without him, everyone has to move up in the rotation, and in some cases, will have to match up against the aces of the world like Roy Halladay, Tim Hudson, Josh Johnson and Tim Lincecum.

It will be a very difficult assignment for the new Mets rotation in 2011, an assignment that many predict will fail badly.

Let’s meet the new rotation, and then take a look at the bullpen in part II of our 2011 Mets preview.

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Spring Training got underway this weekend when the New York Mets opened their slate of games with two against the Atlanta Braves and one against the University of Michigan Wolverines. There was plenty to like about some of the performances, but there was a lot to hate as well. The Mets found some power from unexpected players and learned a little bit more about who will make up this team.

Here are some of the big headlines from this past weekend.

Second base competition still close early in camp

The Mets are looking at incumbent Luis Castillo, the constantly moving Daniel Murphy and the Rule-5 pick Brad Emaus right now. Manager Terry Collins has prospect Justin Turner, utility man Chin-Lung Hu and Ruben Tejada to consider as well. However, all are long shots for the starting job.

In Saturday’s opener against Atlanta, Castillo went 1-for-2, turning two double plays in the field. On Sunday, Castillo went 1-for-2 again and scored a run. Castillo has seen more time in the field than Emaus and Murphy, but considering Collins’ emphasis on offense from second base, he has a long road ahead to make this team.

Emaus had a hit, scored a run and walked twice in Sunday’s split-squad game against Michigan. If the Mets are looking for power, Emaus should be their first choice, having hit 15 home runs in the minor leagues last season and also showing great plate discipline.

Murphy, looking to try his third different position in as many seasons, went 1-for-3 on Sunday against Atlanta, including a two-run double that came with two outs. If Murphy is unable to win the second base job outright, he’s likely to find a bench spot out of Spring Training.

Jason Bay looks to bounce back from 2010’s concussion

Bay went 1-for-2 with two RBIs on Sunday against Michigan while playing left field. His single to left field in the third inning came with two outs and the bases loaded and scored Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo. Bay—who says he’s fully recovered from the concussion he suffered last July which cost him the rest of his season—is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in which he hit just six home runs.

Strong debuts from Chris Young and Chris Capuano boost rotation candidacy

Capuano pitched three innings against the University of Michigan in the Mets’ split-squad game Sunday. He surrendered three hits, one earned run, while striking out four and walking none. His fastball sat right around 86 mph, the same as his average last season. Capuano is trying to become the Mets’ No. 5 starter, competing mainly against Dillon Gee. Being a left-handed pitcher may give him an advantage over Gee.

Young was equally impressive on Sunday against Atlanta, allowing no runs in two innings of work, striking out two. Young is also trying to make the starting rotation, and is all but assured a spot if he can show he’s healthy and strong enough for a full season, something he hasn’t been for two years.

Oliver Perez is still the same old Ollie, struggles in first appearance of Spring Training

Perez pitched two innings on Sunday against Atlanta, and he didn’t give manager Terry Collins any reason to keep him around much longer. Perez surrendered four runs, on four hits, in two innings of work. Control was once again a big problem for Perez, as he walked three batters. He also struck out three.

He issued three consecutive walks with two outs during the Braves’ three-run fourth inning. The odds of Perez earning a spot in the starting rotation are slim, but Collins hasn’t ruled that out yet. Perez may also find himself in the bullpen as a lefty reliever, but another showing like he had on Sunday and Perez may find himself without a team, despite his $12 million salary.

Bullpen options look solid in limited work so far

Mets bullpen candidates Pedro Beato and Taylor Buchholz were both impressive in their Spring debuts. Beato started Saturday against Atlanta and pitched two innings, allowing three hits and one earned run on a solo homer to Eric Hinske. Beato threw all eight of his pitches for strikes and induced six groundballs. Beato, the Mets’ Rule-5 pick this year, showed great command and a great sinker.

Taylor Buchholz, one of the many Mets reclamation projects added during the offseason, struck out three over two innings of work. He threw 15 pitches, 14 for strikes. If he can reclaim his 2008 form, Buchholz will be an excellent addition to the Mets bullpen.

Carlos Beltran will officially move to right field for the 2011 season

With the excellent performance of Angel Pagan last season and the questions surrounding Beltran’s surgically repaired knee, the Mets had raised the possibility of moving Beltran to right field. It was said that Beltran would be given a chance to prove he can still play center field full time, but it appears the Mets have made the decision for him. A recent announcement was made that he’ll be making the move to right field.

The move is probably the best thing for Beltran, who may be able to spare some wear and tear on his knee, making it easier to stay healthy. It’s been widely speculated that Beltran could be traded mid-season, as he’s entering his final contract year with the Mets. To do so, Beltran has to stay healthy and produce, and a move to right field should make that easier.

It’s still very early in Spring Training and there are still plenty of games to be played. The Mets have had a lot of questions answered, but things can always change. Oliver Perez currently looks horrible, while Chris Young and Chris Capuano appear locks in the starting rotation. Pitching coach Dan Warthen has said he’ll look to start eliminating rotation candidates around March 10, so we’ll get a better idea of who will fill the No. 3 and No. 5 spots in the upcoming weeks.

The Mets’ No. 1 starter, Mike Pelfrey, will make his spring debut today against the Washington Nationals, who will give Bryce Harper, last year’s No. 1 draft pick, his first at bats in the pros.

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It has been quite some time since I have wanted to write about the Mets.

Bleacher Report used to be my avenue to talk everything Mets, so much so, that I was once one of the original Mets featured columnists here on Bleacher Report.

That changed last season, as the Mets seemingly sleepwalked through another losing year, causing me, in utter disgust, to cease writing about them. My frustration with my favorite team, in my favorite sport, just would not allow me to continue to cover them, especially when I could barely stomach watching them.

In my mind, there was only so many ways to say “you stink.”

Unfortunately, I cannot lose my love for the Mets like—I did my featured columnist title—although sometimes I wish I could. Time and time again, the Mets have found ways to break my heart, and yet, I always return.

I guess that’s what fans, real fans anyway, do. They stick by their team through thick and thin, or in the case of Mets fans, thin and thinner. This is especially true during the winter months, when the fumes emanating from the hot stove intoxicate us into believing that our team, despite the odds, has a chance at winning a championship.

The same can be said for my fellow Flushing Faithful, that is, until this offseason.

The Mets started out strong, taking a very deliberate approach in selecting a new general manager, Sandy Alderson, giving the franchise more structure and discipline than they’ve had in years.

Then Alderson and the rest of the teams management set out to find a manager for the team. In another long and thorough process, Terry Collins was named manager of the Mets.

Collins, who has not managed in the Major Leagues since Mo Vaughn was still a feared slugger, was not the sexiest name available, or the fan favorite choice, but his reputation is similair to Alderson’s, so fans reluctantly accepted the decision.

Management was finally in place for the Mets, and then…

Well, actually we are still waiting, and that’s the problem.

It is not even so much the fact that the Mets, have not done anything this offseason to improve the team, but it’s adding insult to injury watching the Phillies reacquire ace Cliff Lee, knowing the Marlins and Braves young teams are only getting better, and the fact that the Nationals are spending money to get better.

The best announcement the Mets have made this year is the fact that they signed Chris Young.

No, it is not the uber-talented Arizona outfielder, but the oft-injured San Diego pitcher who has started only a total of 36 games over the past three seasons, including a work horse-esque 4 appearances in 2010.

This is the first time in years that the Mets have stood pat when the team has so many holes to fill. There will be no big name coming to Queens this year to mask the sobering reality that we are now the worst team in the NL East.

To be fair, Sandy Alderson’s patience is probably the best-suited approach for the Mets in the long term, but it still won’t make supporting this team in 2011 any easier.

So for now, we Mets fans will have to savor every minor announcement from our “Amazin’s,” be it ticket prices being slashed, Terry Collins announcing his lineup, or Mike Pelfrey being named the Mets opening day starter…in January.

Looks like it is going to be another long season that will not be worth writing about for the Mets. So much for reclaiming my featured columnist spot.

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Searching high and low for a fifth starter this offseason, the Mets have signed free agent pitcher Chris Young to a one-year deal, pending a physical.

With a base salary of just $1 million, which could increase to as high as $2.5 million if he reaches certain milestones, Young is the definition of a low risk, high reward pitcher, something the Mets have been focusing on.

Issues with injury have kept Young from fulfilling the potential most saw during his 2006 and 2007 campaigns (20-13, 3.29 ERA).

In the last three seasons, Young has made just 36 starts. However, during that time, he has posted some numbers which Mets fans will find encouraging.

During that span, Young’s ground ball to fly ball ratio is 0.43.

In his previous home, Petco Park, just 6.17 percent of his fly balls (421) went for home runs.

His ERA is ridiculously better at home than on the road (1.95 at home vs. 4.66 on the road).

What does all that mean for the Mets? Well, right now, very little. However, what it does mean is that Young is moving from one of the best pitcher’s parks in baseball to Citi Field, which had the lowest Park Factor for home runs in the NL last season.

In Citi Field, a fly ball isn’t leaving the ballpark. Chris Young gives up almost exclusively fly balls. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.

However, one stat which isn’t so favorable is Young’s stolen base stats. Since 2007, opponents are 81-for-83 stealing bases against him.

If the Mets want to keep runners from taking that extra base against Young, they’ll need to get great defense out of catchers Josh Thole and Ronny Paulino.

Thole, in just 66 starts, has caught 41.9 percent of base stealers (13 of 18) with a .991 fielding percentage and a 3.753 ZR.

Paulino, for his career, has caught 30.7 percent of opposing base stealers (119 of 268).

Last season, the Mets led the National League with 130 stolen bases. San Diego finished second with 124, but the No. 3 and No. 4 spots were held down by the Washington Nationals (110) and the Philadelphia Phillies (108).

The Mets will need to lean on Thole and Paulino even more than they already were with the addition of Chris Young to their starting rotation.

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