So far, the acquisition of David DeJesus seems like a rumor, but Delmon Young is really on the verge of playing ball with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays' former No. 1 pick from 2003 is looking to once again play for his old club. How would the dynamic duo of Young and DeJesus work together for the Rays? They are both outfielders and could set up a solid platoon system down in Tampa.
The Philadelphia Phillies wanted nothing to do with Young after his poor eight-homer and 31-RBI production in 80 games. Young hit .261 with a measily, .302 on-base percentage. This was after hitting 18 home runs, driving in 74 RBI with the Detroit Tigers in 2012. Overall, Young's career has been a disappointment. He hit for average in his first few years in the big leagues, but then seemed to lose it all in 2011. His best season came with the MInnesota Twins, where he hit 21 home runs, driving in 112 runs. Since then, Young has been an afterthought, possessing some solid playoff numbers in his brief stay with the Tigers.
This season, Young hit a solid .286 in 72 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. He only had one home run, but the Rays could use a player who gets on base and Young was reaching the bags 36 percent of the time. The Rays are already baseball's best hitting team against lefties, posting a .280 batting average with a .345 OBP. Young could only help those numbers go up.
So what about this rumor about DeJesus now joining a playoff team? How can he help? Well, not too much, except for his ability to get on base against right-handed hitting. First of all, don't expect DeJesus in the lineup against lefties. He's hitting a pathetic .156 in 49 plate appearances against southpaws. His ability to get on base, similar to Young's, would boost the Rays run production.
Entering Thursday, the Rays are ranked 10th in baseball with a .325 OBP against right-handed pitching. That's a great ranking. Now, imagine how much better they could be with DeJesus getting on base frequently. Desmond Jennings, the team's leadoff batter, is currently injured, leaving room for DeJesus at the top of the lineup where he can use his ability to get on base to set the table for the Rays.
In the A.L. East standings, the Rays are now in second place after losing Wednesday night to the Baltimore Orioles. They are in the playoff hunt, but of course, a division pennant would be much sweeter than risking a chance at being eliminated in the A.L. Wild Card Game.
