Michael Young

Tier 1: Evan Longoria
To me, there is one first round third baseman and that is Longoria.  In 2010 he showed that he could bring the total package to the table, adding stolen bases (15) and a near .300 average (.294) to an already impressive package.  While the power faded a little bit, at 25-years old it is not hard to imagine him returning to the 30 HR level.   Throw in 100/100 potential and what is there not to like?

Yes and no. 

Michael Young is reportedly wanting out of Texas and has demanded to be traded according to sources. 

Young is one of the more established hitters in the game, having a .300 career batting average.  If the situation doesn't resolve and Young is indeed leaving the Rangers organization, he will be highly sought after around the league.

Michael Young wants out of Texas. 

The Texas Rangers acquired 3B Adrian Beltre this offseason, and Young no longer has spot in Texas' infield. The Rangers had planned on Young being their designated hitter and a utility player. It's apparent that he does not want to play that role.

What more can you say about Michael Young?

He has been through it all with the Texas Rangers. The good, the bad, the ugly, to term a popular “Spaghetti Western” movie.

So what is going on? Is it all that bad?

Is making $16 million going to make him “mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore?” – to phrase another movie (“Network”), Sure looks like it.

“What is the – "failure to communicate.” ("Cool Hand Luke") when talking about the Rangers and Young’s role for the 2011 season?

By all accounts, Michael Young has been the ideal soldier for the Texas Rangers for 10 years. He has been asked to play second base, right field, shortstop, third base, and now designated hitter/first base/utility player.

He has suffered through ownership misfortunes, last-place teams, the heat of Texas, being third fiddle to the Cowboys and Mavericks, and at times fighting the Stars for that third slot.

Via Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram:

[Michael Young] is willing to be traded to eight teams, according to a source: St. Louis, Minnesota, Houston, Colorado, San Diego, the New York Yankees and both teams in Los Angeles.

Michael Young has played his entire career with the Texas Rangers. He has put up some pretty impressive numbers during his career, averaging 17 HR, 87 RBI, a .300 BA and a .795 OPS. He has posted these numbers while switching positions twice already, and if he plays with the Rangers in 2011, he will once again switch positions.

Michael Young, Texas Rangers' second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, first baseman, I mean designated hitter, has finally had enough.

The longest tenured player on the American League's defending champions has demanded a trade from the only Major League team he has ever known. Not only that, but he has finally broken his silence regarding his perception of the manner in which the Rangers have handled him in recent seasons.

Lately, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has been a hotbed for controversy. Whether its the arctic weather, Jerry Jones' inability to know how many seats to have for his Super Bowl guests or Christina Aguilera botching the national anthem, hostility and malice are sure to be found.

To add fuel to an already raging fire, Texas Ranger captain Michael Young now wants to be traded.