Michael Young open to change

One of the biggest hurdles facing Texas with regards to any deal concerning Adrian Beltre is, what do you do with Michael Young?

In 2004, Young was asked to move from second base to short stop to make way for Alfonso Soriano. He did so without complaint, even winning a Gold Glove at the position. However in 2009, after his range dwindled to nothing, Young was asked to move to third base to make room for Elvis Andrus. At that time, Young demanded a trade. Texas explored those possibilities at that time, determining that Young's contract was such that his trade value was virtually nonexistent. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed and Young remained a Ranger.

Now, Young is again being asked to make a move, but this time there's a little more gray area involved. Young is apparently being asked to become a super-sub player, meaning he would apparently become the team's primary DH, while spelling Moreland, Kinsler, Beltre & Andrus around the infield. Honestly, this is the perfect fit for Young and something I've been begging for since the end of the 2009 season. As a super-sub, Young's deficiencies with the glove can be better hidden, allowing him to make his hay with his bat. In an earlier post I noted that Yong is a lifetime .388 hitter when hitting as the Designated Hitter.

Young, initially skeptical of the move, has apparently come around on the idea (or, is at the very least saying all the right things) and has said he'll do whatever most helps the team win.

"Obviously, I know my first preference," Young told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. "If I have to take on a certain role to make the team better and I still get my 700 at-bats, be a productive player and play in a place I want to play, I'd be willing to do that."

Assuming this deal with Beltre gets done (rumored to be either a 5 or 6 year deal), it becomes highly likely that Vlad Guerrero's days in a Rangers uniform would end after just one season. Texas has been trying to sign the slugger but are not willing to go beyond a 1-year offer. Vlad is rumored to be seeking at least a 2-year deal.