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Delmon Young followed a huge postseason last year with a huge spring training this year, and he seemed poised for a huge season that would lead to a huge contract when he becomes a free agent this fall.
Young hits fifth for the Tigers, directly behind Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. In the year entering free agency, Young can have star-type production without the burden of being his team’s star.
He could get big attention in this coming off-season, from teams that would want to bid for a power-hitting leftfielder in his mid-20s who might be entering his prime. He could look for 10 million dollars or more per year on a long-term deal. There hasn’t been any indication the Tigers will try to re-sign Young before he became a free agent.
On Friday, Young got the attention of teams throughout the big leagues. He was arrested at the Tigers’ New York hotel on an aggravated harassment charge. Police said Young yelled an anti-Semitic remark during a physical confrontation and was intoxicated. He did not play in the Tigers’ 7-6 loss to the Yankees on Friday night.
No matter the legal resolution of the case, the question arises whether this episode will diminish the demand for Young on the free-agent market. There is some feeling in the baseball industry that it will.
Some teams that put a high premium on character and conduct might now have pause about signing Young. The fewer teams that bid for him. The lower his value might go.

Delmon Young.

Detroit Tigers left fielder Delmon Young apologized to his team and fans Friday, just before getting arraigned on a hate crime harassment charge for a fight at his hotel during which police say he yelled anti-Semitic epithets.
Young posted a 5,000 dollars bond at a brief hearing in Manhattan court and was released less than an hour before the Tigers’ game against the Yankees. He faces a misdemeanor aggravated harassment charge that entails targeting someone for his or her religious beliefs. If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail.
Wearing a dark suit, Young said nothing during his arraignment.
In a statement, however, Young said – “I sincerely regret what happened last night.” He apologized to the Tigers owners and organization, his teammates, family and Detroit fans.
“I take this matter very seriously and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and player” – Young said.
General manager Dave Dombrowski did not discuss Young’s arrest with reporters. Tigers spokesman Brian Britten said after the team’s 7-6 loss to the New York Yankees that Dombrowski was still working out several issues relating to Young.
Manager Jim Leyland snapped at a reporter who asked about Young after Detroit’s fifth straight loss.
“Get lost, get lost, get lost” – Leyland said. “Do yourself a favor and get lost.”
Young’s jersey hung in his locker in the visitors’ clubhouse at Yankee Stadium and his helmet was in the dugout rack Friday afternoon, but he was not at the ballpark.
“My lineup’s up” – Leyland said tersely when asked if he had to rethink his batting order for the game.

Young (28) has gotten in trouble with his temper before. In April 2006 when playing for the Class AA Durham Bulls, Young was ejected for arguing a strike call and threw his bat, hitting an umpire in the chest and arm. He was suspended for 50 games.
Young was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2003 but has had an up-and-down career. He played several seasons for the Twins and was acquired in a trade by Detroit in August for two minor leaguers. He was an instant success for the Tigers, hitting a home run in his first at-bat, and boosted Detroit’s offense as the team won the American League Central and advanced to the ALCS, where the Tigers lost to Texas. He hit five home runs in the playoffs.
The Tigers signed him to a one-year, 6.75 million dollars contract in the off-season. He has struggled this season, hitting .242 with no home runs and came to New York in a 1-for-10 slump.
“We are aware of the situation, however it is our club policy not to comment on pending legal matters” – the team said in a statement. “As we understand it, this is an allegation and we need to allow the legal process to take its course. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time. Per a provision in the Major League Baseball Basic Agreement, any allegation that involves alcohol is referred to MLB’s Employee Assistance Program.”
The Tigers have dealt with alcohol issues before, with the slugger Miguel Cabrera having two highly publicized incidents and a three-month stay in an alcohol treatment center in 2009. In October 2009, Cabrera was involved in a domestic dispute and his blood alcohol level at the police station was reported to be three times the legal limit. He was also arrested for drunken driving in 2011.