MVN: Most Valuable Network

Five years ago, Texas Rangers now-shortstop Michael Young switched positions. He was a second baseman at the time and volunteered to move over to shortstop after the A-Rod/Yankees trade netted the Rangers Alfonso Soriano in return.

Fast forward to 2009 and the Rangers are forcing asking Young to make another move -- this time to third base, in order to make room for top prospect Elvis Andrus.

The way it all went down, however, has been a problem. Apparently, according to Young, the Rangers GM Jon Daniels essentially wasn't giving him a choice in the matter:

Young revealed over the weekend that he asked to be traded after a breakfast with Daniels a few weeks ago turned ugly when, Young said, Daniels gave him an ultimatum to move to third base.

Issuing an ultimatum to your highest-paid player isn't good business, whether he's worth the $16 million/year you're about to be paying him or not. Subsequently, standing your ground and immediately demanding a trade isn't good business either -- it's an overreaction.

So, let us now talk this out. The Rangers like Andrus (can't blame them there -- he was a main piece in the Teixeira to Atlanta deal) and want to groom him into the position. They feel he can eventually help the team improve, which it needs to do. In order to get him the reps, Young needs to be a team player. Or get out.

As a team leader, Young should realize the team needs help. A more constructive talk with the veteran could result in three things: A move to 3B, a move to another position or a move to another team. The Rangers believe Young will stick around. Two MVN bloggers want him on the Twins, if he's traded -- here and here.

Many players have made a positional switch in their careers, including these greats. Of course, Young knows this, since he previously made a switch. But if he doesn't like the 3B option, maybe he can go back to 2B and move Ian Kinsler to the outfield, as Tim Cowlishaw suggests.

If the club really believes Andrus' major league time is at hand, I think a better move would be to shift Young back to second base - where he is a better fielder than he is at shortstop - and move Kinsler to the outfield, presumably left.

Then you've still got the bats you want in the lineup, and as long as Andrus is making some special plays to atone for those errors, you haven't reduced your club's ability to field the baseball.

Either way, an actual discussion between the two sides, rather than hissy fits through the media, needs to take place.

My gut tells me Young will stick around. But if I'm Daniels, I call his bluff and at least explore the trade scenarios. At 32, Young's abilities will be diminishing, as they already are.

He has not once been worth $16 million in his career -- and certainly won't be anytime soon. With that in mind, if I can snatch up any young talent in exchange for an older, expensive vet, I at least take the time to mull it over. I'm just sayin'.