PHILADELPHIA — Chris Young’s underachieving era with the Mets ended Friday night, when the veteran outfielder was designated for assignment.
Following the Mets’ 5-4 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, manager Terry Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson informed Young he was out.
“At some point you have to move on, and I think this was about the time to do that,” Alderson said. “I’ve liked Chris a lot since the first time I met him, and unfortunately it didn’t work out completely as we would have liked, so it’s time to move on to something else.”
Alderson signed Young to a one-year deal worth $7.25 million last offseason and promised him regular playing time. But Young became symbolic of the team’s offensive woes, batting only .205 with eight homers and 28 RBIs in 254 at-bats.
Matt den Dekker, who entered Friday leading the Pacific Coast League in hitting, was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Young’s roster spot and is expected to become the regular left fielder.
Young, who did not play Friday, said he understood the decision.
“I’m comfortable with the fact that I worked hard and did my best and it’s just unfortunate it didn’t work out as planned,” Young said. “But I’m grateful for the opportunity, but one door closes and another one opens, hopefully.”
Alderson said den Dekker’s level of play at Las Vegas coupled with the fact the Mets needed another lefty bat made this the right time for the move.
On Monday, veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu was designated for assignment.
“We’re in a spot now where we want to start to see some young guys and we’ve got to find some spots for them,” Collins said.
Before the game, Collins said he will also begin playing Wilmer Flores at shortstop for an extended period to see if the rookie can handle the position on an everyday basis. Kirk Nieuwenhuis is also expected to see more playing time, at all three outfield positions, as part of the youth movement.
Ruben Tejada will head to the bench as Flores gets his opportunity.
“We want to find out if [Flores] is going to be able to play shortstop,” Collins said before Flores went 2-for-4 against the Phillies.
“Everybody has said they think he’s going to hit. Is he going to hit for power? Is he going to hit for average? The big question: Is he going to be able to play the middle of the infield? The only way to find out is put him out in the middle of the infield, and we’re in a situation right now where we want to find out.”
Den Dekker was batting .334 with eight homers and 46 RBIs for Las Vegas and already has proven he’s a capable player defensively. Now he has to hit at the major league level.
“We’ve talked to these guys who go up and down and say, ‘Go down and play well and you will get your shot,’ ” assistant general manager John Ricco said. “[Den Dekker] has been doing that, obviously he is right at the top of the league in hitting. He definitely has played his way into the conversation of, ‘Let’s give this guy a chance and see what he can do.’ ”