Fox Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Reds are among teams that have inquired about infielder Michael Young of the Phillies because of a lack of production from third base and left field this season, but he notes several factors have the club in a tough spot when it comes to making a move.
Those include the uncertainty created by injuries to Johnny Cueto, Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall as well as a lack of payroll flexibility and prospect depth.
Young, a 36-year-old veteran of 14 seasons in the big leagues, is hitting .286 with seven homers, 18 doubles and 31 RBIs for Philadelphia this season, his first since coming over from the Texas Rangers. His OBP is .349 with a .419 slugging percentage to add up to a .767 OPS this season.
With Ryan Ludwick ready to begin rehab assignment in the minor leagues, Young would seem most likely to be a candidate to help at third base, where 27-year-old Todd Frazier has had his ups and downs in his second full season in the majors.
Frazier entered Sunday's game against the Pirates hitting .239 with 10 homers, 15 doubles and 43 RBIs in 89 games. He's posted an OBP/SLG/OPS line of .333/.398/.731.
Young has made contact more consistently with 29 fewer strikeouts (52 vs. 82 for Frazier) in 30 more at-bats (339 to 309).
