Young certain Mets made healthy investment
San Diego Padres' Chris Young, left, throws a pitch to a Los Angeles Angels batter in the third inning in a spring training baseball game. (March 9, 2010) Credit: AP
Chris Young remembers sitting in the Citi Field visitors' dugout last summer, looking out at the spacious stadium and thinking to himself, "It would be a lot of fun to play here."
Now the 6-10 righthander has given himself that chance, officially finalizing his long-anticipated one-year contract with the Mets Thursday.
Young's incentive-based contract calls for a base salary of $1.1 million, which made him attractive to a team that doesn't have much financial flexibility.
Plagued by a shoulder injury the last two years, Young is coming off a season in which he made only four starts; he hasn't pitched a full season since 2007. But Young, 31, said on a conference call that his shoulder feels healthier than it has in years.
"I don't have a radar gun on me but I feel the life on the ball and the arm speed is better now than it was at the end of the season," he said. " . . . and I was pleased at the end of the season."
Young had surgery on his shoulder in August 2009 and returned for the 2010 season. But he felt more discomfort, which led the Padres to shut him down. He didn't return to the majors until September.
Young said he rushed back too quickly after the surgery. After giving his shoulder proper rest during the summer, Young was encouraged that he picked up velocity in each of his three September starts.
The Mets hope he returns to his form of 2006-07, when he had a 3.30 ERA and 1.115 WHIP in 3521/3 innings. Young thinks that's possible, saying that when he's been healthy, "I think my numbers speak for themselves."
As for the prevailing sentiment that the Mets haven't done enough to compete with the Phillies, Young used last year's Padres team that led the NL West until the last week of the season as a reason for fans to keep hope alive. "You can't deny the talent that's on the team," he said. "It's an extremely talented team."
Notes & quotes: Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, speaking at a New York City Fire Department event on Randall's Island, said the Mets shouldn't be criticized for their lack of spending this offseason because their payroll is about $145 million. "I don't think people realize that," he said. "Unfortunately, we were somewhat hamstrung by what had happened before. [Sandy Alderson's] plan was to go and deal with it this year and make sure we have tremendous flexibility next year." . . . To make room for Young and outfielder Scott Hairston, the Mets designated pitcher Tobi Stoner and outfielder Jason Pridie for assignment. . . The PAL will honor Alderson and Terry Collins at its sports night dinner Thursday in Manhattan. Call Anne Lawrence at 212-477-9450 ext. 310.
With Anthony Rieber
