Hello Elvis….Goodbye Michael Young?

Posted by Jeremy on January 12, 2009 under Market Watch | Be the First to Comment

       

Big news from Arlington!

5-time All-Star SS Michael Young has requested a trade from the Texas Rangers after they asked him to move to 3B to make room for phenom Elvis Andrus. . Last season, Elvis hit .295 with 4 HR 65 RBI 54 SB and 82 runs scored at AA Frisco as a 19 year old. Committed to making the big club in ‘09, Andrus continued to toil in the Venezuelan Winter League where his bat started slowly but heated up to hit .257 with 2 HR 15 RBI and 7 SB in 50 games.  I wrote a recent post mentioning the potential growth in demand for Andrus’ cards, and these recent developments may confirm my prognostication much earlier than expected.

There is no doubt that this move, regardles of his 2008 Gold Glove award, would eventually have to happen for Young. Andrus has incredible range and top of the order speed that would fit very well in this exciting Rangers lineup. As badly as Young wants a trade, it is going to be difficult to receive top value for him. The Rangers just signed him to a contract extension at 5 years and $80 million that, in this volitile economy, will limit the potential trade partners to a handful of teams.

Boston seems to be a nice fit for him as they have already been rumored to be seeking the future services of their former farmhand and now Marlins superstar Hanley Ramirez. After losing the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes to the Yankees, the Red Sox may decide to turn their attention toward the 32 year old SS. With a system chocked full of talented pitching prospects and outfielders, they seem to be ideal trading partners. One thing that could inhibit the deal, however, is the soreness that BoSox GM Theo Epstien may still be feeling after being robbed in the ill-fated Eric Gagne trade of 2007. That deal netted the Rangers starting OF David Murphy, RHP Kason Gabbard, and super prospect Engel Beltre.

This story bears watching as the opportunity for Elvis Andrus to break camp with the big club in April now looks to be extraordinarily bright. The Rangers are not averse to aggressively promoting their more promising prospects and Andrus, despite his youth, has the blend of physical skills and intangibles that could successfully facilitate such a move.  Andrus has 1st year cards in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects set that sell for $2.50-4.00 each and his 2008 Bowman Sterling and Donruss Threads Autos have been selling for $5.00-7.50 apiece.

Young’s situation will be of great interest as well. Pay attention to what teams start inquiring about his services. If the frontrunner hails from Boston or another large market team, Young’s 1999 1st year cards and certified autographs could see an appreciable increase in demand. At some time a deal will have to be done as it is quite clear now that Young and Andrus will not coexist on the same playing field.