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SS Young asks for trade from Rangers
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Young, 32, told FOXSports.com on Sunday night that he has asked for a trade and given the Rangers a small list of teams for which he would waive his no-trade clause.
His request came in mid-December after Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington informed him that the team wanted him to play third to clear shortstop for Elvis Andrus, 20, one of the team's top prospects.
Young, an All-Star in each of his five years at short, received his first Gold Glove in voting by American League managers and coaches last season. He said he would consider returning to second base, his previous position, for another team.
The Rangers wanted Young to "buy into" the idea of moving to third, but made it clear that the ultimate decision rested with the team.
Young, whom the Rangers acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays in July 2000, said Daniels and Washington left him with "no wiggle room" about changing positions.
"That's the thing that shocked me at first — I thought there would be more dialogue talking about a move like that," Young said.
"After spending the first eight years of my career here, being productive, making sure I was on the field, I didn't think I would be in position where I would be told exactly what was going to happen, where my job would be taken from me like it has been.
"They knew what they were going to do. If I was going to have a career with the Rangers, it was going to be at third base, effective immediately."
Young said he pondered the possibility for several days, then requested a trade through his agent, Dan Lozano.
"I didn't want to make any kneejerk reaction," Young said. "I went back, discussed it with my family, talked to my agent. I reached out to some of my teammates, some of my former teammates, veteran players around the league who I have great respect for.
"To a man, everyone was shocked it was going to happen. Once I knew I had all their support, I knew exactly what I was going to do and that I was doing the right thing."
Young changed positions with the Rangers once before, volunteering to move from second base to shortstop in 2004 to accommodate Alfonso Soriano, whom the Rangers had acquired from the Yankees in the Alex Rodriguez trade. Soriano was an established player. Andrus is not.
However, Daniels said that the Rangers did not want to ask Young to change positions at mid-season — a scenario that could arise if the team signed a stopgap at third base, started Andrus at Class AAA and then promoted him during the summer.
"The basic feeling was, let's get all of our championship-caliber players on the field at the same time," Daniels said. "We know Michael is one of them. We believe Elvis will be one of them. What is the best way?
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"The decision was made that what fits best is if Michael is willing to move to third base. It really comes down to what is best for the team.
"I have tremendous respect for Michael, the work he puts in, what he's accomplished. Part of our (contractual) commitment to him is because of his leadership and the team-first player he is. Hopefully his willingness to make that transition would send a positive message to the rest of our organization."
In the meantime, the Rangers will continue listening to trade offers for Young, who is guaranteed about $60 million over the next five seasons.
The team is seeking a young third baseman in any trade for Young, sources said, creating the possibility of a deal with the White Sox, who could offer Josh Fields, or the Angels, who could offer Brandon Wood. The Mets and Dodgers also have expressed interest in Young this offseason.
Young declined to list his preferred teams, saying only, "it's not very many at all." He still could end up the Rangers' third baseman if no deal is made, but refrained from discussing that possibility.
"They haven't backed off their stance. I haven't backed off mine," Young said. "Where that takes us, only time will tell."
The White Sox like Young, but general manager Ken Williams strongly indicated last week that he was not pursuing a trade with the Rangers, telling the Chicago Tribune in an e-mail that he "would not waste time" discussing the possibility.
If the White Sox acquired Young, they likely would play him at second and follow through with their plan to move Alexei Ramirez to short. Young would fill the White Sox's need for a leadoff hitter, but Williams repeatedly has stated his desire to go with younger, more affordable players in '09.
A deal with the Angels also seems unlikely; the Rangers would demand a higher price from a division rival than they would from other teams, sources say.
The Angels have a young, talented double-play combination — Howie Kendrick at second, Erick Aybar at short. But their leadoff man, third baseman Chone Figgins, is eligible for free agency after next season.
Andrus, acquired by the Rangers in the Mark Teixeira trade in July 2007, is a gifted defender who had a .350 on-base percentage and stole 54 bases last season at Class AA. Scouts and statistical analysts are less enthusiastic about Young's defense.
Young led AL shortstops in fielding percentage, double plays and assists per nine innings last season. But while he has shown steady improvement defensively since moving to short, he remains below average according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online.
In last season's ratings, Young ranked 27th among major-league shortstops. He excels at turning double plays, according to the rating system, but struggles going to his left.
"I feel confident in my defense, Gold Glove or no Gold Glove," Young said "I'm confident I would have taken the same stance even if I hadn't won. I feel like I'm a very productive player on the defensive side of the ball."
Young is not the first prominent player to be asked to change positions. Such requests were made of past greats such as Cal Ripken Jr., Craig Biggio and Robin Yount and current stars such as Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones.
Young, however, said he deserved greater consideration.
"I feel like I've made a lot of sacrifices," he said. "I've been incredibly loyal. I've done everything I can for the team, done everything I've been asked to do. That's all I've been about since becoming a Ranger — doing what's best for my teammates, being accountable to them, being available to them.
"At the same time, it's a fine line. 'Team player' is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot. It's a term that I think is very sacred. But at the same time, it's a two-way street between the player and the organization.
"I feel like some of the barriers have been broken down."
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