MLB Notes: Michael Young retires; Chen re-signs

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After 14 big-league seasons, seven All-Star Game appearances and two trips to the World Series, former Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young has decided to retire.

Young spent 13 seasons with the Rangers and part of 2013 with the Phillies and Dodgers. He was acquired in a trade by the Phillies in December of 2012 and then sent to Los Angeles in a post-deadline deal where he contributed to the Dodgers’ playoff run.

Young was the MVP of the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh where his two-out, two-run triple off Trevor Hoffman won it for the American League. He also won the American League batting title in 2005, hit over .300 in seven seasons and is one of 190 players in the history of the game to retire with a .300 batting average or higher.

In 1,970 regular season games, Young got 2,375 hits, 185 homers and 1,030 RBIs. He reached the 1,000-RBI plateau with the Phillies last summer.

With the Rangers, Young went to the World Series in 2010 and 2011 and had four postseason berths — three with Texas and one with the Dodgers.

Selected in the fifth round of the 1997 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Young was part of one of the most lopsided trades in recent history. In a deadline deal in 2000, the Blue Jays sent Young and pitcher Darwin Cubillan to Texas for pitcher Esteban Loaiza.

Young went on to become one of the most popular Rangers in the history of the franchise, while Loaiza went 25-28 with a 4.96 ERA over three seasons in Toronto.

The Rangers issued a statement following the news of Young’s retirement:

“The Texas Rangers want to congratulate Michael Young on his outstanding Major League career. For 12 seasons in a Rangers uniform, he was a standout performer on the field and the consummate role model in the community.

“Michael is a leader, and he demonstrated those skills every day of the season, year in and year out. We are proud to say that Michael Young is this franchise's all-time leader in games, at bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples and total bases. He excelled at multiple positions and came through in the clutch.

“When Texas advanced to postseason play in 2010 after an 11-year drought, teammates and fans everywhere were especially happy that Michael had reached the playoffs. And he was an integral performer in those Rangers' back-to-back World Series runs.

“The Rangers wish Michael, his wife, Cristina, and sons Mateo, Emilio, and Antonio the very best as they enter a new chapter in their lives. And we want them to know there will always be a place for the Youngs in the Texas Rangers family.”

Chen re-signs with Kansas City
While one short-time Phillie was calling it a career, another was signing on for another season.

Left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen, 36, who spent parts of the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Phillies, signed a one-year deal worth $4.25 million with the Kansas City Royals.

Chen’s deal pays a base salary of $3.25 million with a $5.5 million mutual option for 2015 with a $1 million buyout. The deal also includes incentives where Chen could earn 125,000 for each start between 16 and 25 in 2014.

Chen has pitched for 10 different teams over 15 seasons, though he has spent the last five pitching for the Royals. In 2013 Chen went 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA in 34 appearances. He tossed three complete games and won his first five decisions a year ago. In 2012, Chen led the American League with 34 starts.

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