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Rosenthal: Rangers Could Trade Michael Young To Accomodate Cliff Lee Signing

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The Bowtie has struck again with some startling news, reporting that the Rangers are listening to offers for Michael Young, according to other baseball executives. 

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Young, the face of the Rangers' franchise, could be moved in an effort to clear payroll for free-agent left-hander Cliff Lee, or simply as part of a salary exchange for a comparably priced player.

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Before you get too excited (positively or negatively), realize that Young's salary figures to be very difficult to move, except in a move involving a similarly overpriced player. His deal runs three more years, so he wouldn't provide a short term option. The Rangers also don't have a viable alternative at third base, unless Chris Davis sold them on his defense in his Triple-A stint and can adjust to major league pitching. 

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Still, the popular belief was that the team would not even consider such a move, much less allow it to leak. Makes one wonder if there isn't a little underhanded strategy involved.

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Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.