As the trade deadline passed this afternoon at 4 PM ET, many of us were shocked at what the Phillies' front office had done – or not done – this July 31st. As other teams made their bids and sold their assets the Phillies stood pat and did not sell or buy any body.
While most of us thought that it was a shoe in to sell third baseman Michael Young to either the Red Sox or the Yankees – two teams he would waive his no-trade clause for – he was still in a Phillies uniform tonight against the Giants.
Now, some odd hours after the deadline passed, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees were serious about receiving Michael Young and Yankees' GM Brian Cashman even sent a legit offer to GM Ruben Amaro Jr. – one he declined.
Cashman offered to send a prospect to Philly and pay the $5 million to go on Young's deal. And Amaro rejected the deal.
After Amaro rejected the ideal offer from Cashman, the Yanks' GM inquired about catcher Carlos Ruiz, who Amaro declared untouchable.
Then Cashman asked about Phillies veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz and was told that Ruiz, who has zero home runs this year, is not available.
I don't get it. Both Young and Ruiz are free agents after the season and the Phillies just promoted Cody Asche to the majors to play third base. Why the Phillies would decline a prospect AND payment of Young's contract baffles me completely.
Either Amaro has plans to re-sign Young and Ruiz after the season or he is just crazy.
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.
