The Florida Marlins' interest in Rangers infielder Michael Young is contingent on having Texas absorb a significant portion of the $48 million owed to Young the next three seasons, sources said Tuesday.
Like a lot of teams, the Marlins seem to be valuing Young as a $6 million- to $7 million-a-year player, so it would make sense that they would want the Rangers to pay about $30 million -- or more -- of the salary Young will make through the 2013 season.
If the Marlins were able to complete a deal for Young, he likely would play third base for a year, buying time for Matt Dominguez -- the third baseman of the future for Florida -- to develop. Young could move to another spot after Dominguez ascends to the big leagues.
The Rangers have been pursuing trade threads with several teams since Young asked to be moved. The great unknown is how motivated Texas will be to push for a deal before Young reports to camp. The longer Young is in Rangers camp, a rival official speculated, the more difficult it might be for Texas to deal him because of the high regard his teammates have for him.
Senior writer Buster Olney covers Major League Baseball for ESPN The Magazine.