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Kevin Young, considered one of baseball’s best prospects three years ago, was released Tuesday by the Pittsburgh Pirates despite batting .481 this spring.
The Pirates tried all spring to trade Young but found no takers for an infielder who hit only .233 with 13 homers and 84 RBIs in 266 career major-league games.
Tuesday was the deadline for releasing players without paying them their full salary, so the Pirates owe Young only 45 days of termination pay: $49,180.40.
The off-season signing of third baseman Charlie Hayes and the subsequent shift of Jeff King to first base made Young expendable, and he knew it.
“I looked at this spring as a chance to show 27 other clubs what I could do,” Young said.
