Another 1B Alternative?

[Timmer]

In the Washington Examiner the other day (June 12), Phil Wood was writing about Nationals' 1B Dmitri Young, who is just 33 (he turns 34 on October 11), is second in the NL in batting (in the .340s), and is expendable when former Yankee Nick Johnson returns. Wood is convinced that Young will not finish the year in Washington, and I'm inclined to agree.

He writes:

The smart money would have Young ending up back in the American League where he could DH every day. The Yankees, who have lost first baseman Doug Mientkeiwicz and DH Jason Giambi to injury, are rumored to be trying to pry Mark Teixiera away from the Rangers, but Dmitri could be an attractive plan B. He’d cost less at the outset, and with Teixiera on the cusp of free agency — and stating publicly that playing for the Orioles would be “a dream come true” — might be a better short term investment.

Dmitri Young has been a solid citizen — and contributor — for the 2007 Washington Nationals. The big switch-hitter deserves another shot at postseason participation, and I’m betting he gets it by Aug. 1, if not sooner.

The Yankees are known to have a long-time interest in Young, going back to the Denny Neagle talks. While the Yankees seem more interested in Teixeira and perhaps Dunn, there are a lot more suitors and a higher price too. As Phil Wood points out, "The Meat Hook" might be a better short-term investment. (And he is a switch-hitter.)

What could the Yankees give up to get Dmitri Young?