Mets sign Jared Young as infield depth piece
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NEW YORK -- The Mets continued adding to their collection of roster depth pieces on Monday, signing infielder Jared Young to a Major League contract. He’ll compete for a spot in camp.
Young, 29, has spent nearly his entire eight-year professional career in the Minors, reaching Triple-A in the Cubs organization in 2021 and spending most of his time at that level ever since. This past summer, Young played 38 games in Korea, where he batted .326/.420/.660. He owns a .268/.367/.485 slash line over 310 career games at the Triple-A affiliates of the Cubs and Cardinals.
Young does have 22 career games in the Majors, all for the Cubs between 2022-23. He’s produced a .725 OPS in limited time at the highest level.
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Mostly a lefty-hitting first baseman and corner outfielder, Young boasts professional experience at six positions, including significant work at second and third base. He profiles as a potential bench bat for the Mets, who have plenty of outfield depth following the Juan Soto signing but are thinner on the dirt. The Mets could also option Young to the Minors despite his Major League contract.
His situation will depend in large part on who else the Mets sign this winter, as well as how prospects like Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña fare this spring. Earlier this offseason, the Mets signed another veteran first-base depth piece in Joey Meneses, who will also be in Major League camp.