MLB Trade Rumors

Breaking up is hard to do. 

Young has been the face of the Rangers for over a decade now, but his days in Texas appear to be numbered. 

At 34, the Rangers want Young to primarily bat DH, as the team signed 3B Adrian Beltre to play corner infield. 

Young, who has always been an above-average defensive player, still wants to be out on the field. 

Young feels "misled and manipulated" by the situation and has requested a trade. 

Is a breakup the best thing for both parties?  Can the two still remain friends? 

It is no secret that the New York Yankees will be shopping for starting pitching.

How desperately has yet to be seen, as spring training just started and all eyes will be on the mound. It is comforting that the Bronx Bombers have the trade-bait to lure teams.

Trades with teams who don’t look to be in contention pre-All-Star break are especially likely, as it then makes perfect sense to begin looking towards next season and to trade a top pitcher who still has market-value.

After the Houston Astros traded Roy Oswalt last summer, there has been a glaring need for a true ace, someone who can anchor the top of the rotation and set an example for the rest of the pitchers. Brett Myers pitched well down the stretch for them last year but does not have the talent to be that true ace the Astros need.

Francisco Liriano may be on the trading block just days after coming to agreement on a one-year, $4.3 million deal for the 2011 season.

The report from Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune may come as a surprise to many, but it may show some forward thinking on behalf of the organization.

With fewer than two weeks until players begin to report for spring training, MLB trade rumors are again beginning to heat up. The main story making rounds as spring training approaches is whether or not Albert Pujols will sign a contract extension. If he does not sign a deal by the time players report to Spring Training, he will wait until free agency to make a deal.

Camps open up across Florida and Arizona in less than two weeks, and players and fans alike are anxious to get the 2011 MLB season underway.

But change continues to be a constant, whether it's in Texas, where Michael Young is expected to be traded sometime this week, or in St. Louis, where the Albert Pujols contract situation drags on, with each day that passes leaving the Cardinals one day closer to having to face the reality of a future without their superstar.

Michael Young, the Rangers' long-time star infielder, has had just about enough of Texas.

The 34-year-old Young has recently stated that the Rangers have "misled and manipulated" him and he is now requesting a trade from Arlington.

So, where is the best option in my opinion?

The Minnesota Twins.

It’s true: The Cardinals without Albert Pujols is like Corn Flakes without the milk. It’s like the Colts without Peyton Manning. It’s like Oney Guillen without his Twitter account. 

But it could happen. Pujols has set a February 19 deadline to strike an extension deal with the Cardinals, and reports say the two sides will need a lot of steam to iron out these differences.

The last time he demanded a trade he got denied.  But now, I think he's really on his way out.

After the Adrian Beltre signing, Michael Young was moved from third base over to the DH spot.  Now, with the acquisition of catcher/first basemen/DH Mike Napoli, Young has been relegated to a backup infield/DH role.

The Rangers currently have insane amounts of depth, and Michael Young has requested to not be a part of it.

Michael Young has been the one consistent face on the Rangers over the last decade, but now it seems his days in Arlington may be coming to an end.

Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock have all come and gone, but Young has stayed.  Through the losing, through the ownership quagmire, Young has been an All-Star six times, a versatile presence on the field (starting at three different positions), and a leader in the clubhouse.