Michael Young trade: Dodgers plan reserve role for infielder

The Dodgers acquired another veteran for their bench on Saturday with the trade for infielder Michael Young from the Phillies. The Dodgers acquired Young and cash considerations for left-handed minor league pitcher Rob Rasmussen, and Young waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the transaction.

"He can play first, he can play third. He can come off the bench. He's a professional hitter in a lot of ways. He's someone who we feel has a lot left," said general manager Ned Colletti. "As we've done in the past on August 31, we looked to add somebody of character and of quality, and we feel like he's both of those."

To make room on the 40-man roster for Young, the Dodgers transferred Josh Beckett from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. Beckett is out for the season after surgery to repair nerve irritation from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Colletti said though he and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. have discussed the deal for a few days, it didn't get finalized until about 10-15 minutes before Saturday's 9 p.m. PT deadline to acquire players eligible for postseason play.

"I've kept it in the back of my mind for a while. I didn't want to disrupt what we had going on here. We waited until the last couple of days and then got in touch to Ruben," Colletti said. "There were a lot of things to get settled up on, including the commissioner approving some of the financial considerations, the exchange of medical information between us and Philly, and his waiving and acknowledging the no-trade clause."

Young is making $16 million this season, though the Rangers paid Philadelphia $10 million as part of their trade of Young to the Phillies for, among others, old friend Josh Lindblom in December. The Dodgers are responsible for a pro-rated portion of the $6 million that was paid by the Phillies. With 29 days remaining in the season, the Dodgers are on the hook for roughly $950,820.

"It's a complicated contract. He was traded from Texas to Philly. Texas paid a portion of the salary to Philly, of which they are passing on to us," Colletti said.

Young started 118 games for the Phillies, including 99 games at third base, but his primary role with the Dodgers will be in reserve, primarily spot starting at third for Juan Uribe or even at first for Adrian Gonzalez.

"I know he's played all over the infield. I've seen him from his younger days at Texas at second, short and third. We've seen him at first," said manager Don Mattingly. "This guy can hit, and he makes us stronger. He gives us more options if we want to spell Adrian, if we want to spell Juan."

Mattingly said Uribe would still be the primary starter at third base.

"I feel good about Juan. I've talked to him already about it, just to let him know my thoughts. Our defense is a big part of what we do, and Michael just adds to the mix," Mattingly said. "What we're doing is working. We like the guys that we have. Michael just adds to it. He adds character as a professional, as a guy who's been in the playoffs and World Series. He gives us postseason experience if we're fortunate enough to get there."

Rasmussen was acquired by the Dodgers in December from the Astros for John Ely. The former UCLA Bruins left-hander made the Southern League All-Star team and was 3-4 with a 2.55 ERA in 81⅓ innings for Double-A Chattanooga, but the 24-year-old Pasadena native struggled with Triple-A Albuquerque, going 0-7 with a 6.46 ERA in 12 games, including 10 starts, with 32 walks and 37 strikeouts in 54⅓ innings.

Young is expected to join the Dodgers on Monday in Colorado.