OK, I think we've all pretty much agreed that the Rangers bungled the Michael Young situation badly. Jon Daniels and Ron Washington (and I've been told he said almost nothing) can't walk out of that meeting with Young feeling as he did.

But now let's take the longer view. This situation arrived a year sooner than most of us thought it would, but there's no question it was coming, probably by this time next year, and the Rangers and Young were going to be faced with this dilemma. Michael was going to have to move somewhere to make room for Andrus.

With the Rangers' current vacancy at third and the club's evaluation that Andrus is ready, it just came sooner rather than later.

Now let's ask the most pertinent question of all: Are they a better club with Andrus at short and Young at third than Young at short and Travis Metcalf, for instance, at third?

If the Rangers' talent evaluators are right, absolutely. His 32 errors last season aside, Andrus is projected as a defensive whiz, maybe the best defensive shortstop in Rangers' history. Young's work ethic, strong arm and instincts would likely make him at least an adequate third baseman, even though he's only played eight innings there (in 2002) in his life.

Daniels is right when he says that this move is designed to move the team closer to its goal of a World Series championship.

But this isn't fantasy baseball or some board game. Players' feelings, especially one with the respect Young has earned, do matter.

That should have been the longest lunch in history, when Daniels and Washington met with Young, because they couldn't let him walk out of there until everyone was on the same page and if that meant delaying Andrus' arrival until the spring of 2010, so be it.

   -- JIM REEVES

Comments

[G. Garoon]

Sorry Reevo, I'm not with you on this or your column today. I haven't seen Young's contract, but I suspect that it doesn't say he is getting an outrageous amount of money to play shortstop, but to play baseball. I tend to agree with Daniels that they couldn’t ask him to move – it would have been even worse when he said no than it is now. Given the state of the economy and what is going on in the world, I actually think Young’s got a lot of gall to complain about ANYTHING. He’s making more money in a month than most people make in a lifetime.

Hey, you’re in the newspaper business! And, from what I see (and don’t like), since I get both the S-T and DMN, I’m going to get to read the same stuff twice a day!! What if the S-T asks you to go from a columnist to a beat writer? And they’re willing to pay you Galloway-bucks to do it. Are you going to argue? You’re a news person, right?

What did the News do with Evan Grant?

[Joe]

You can't put Andrus' 32 errors aside. But if Andrus is such a hot shot why can't the Rangers trade him for a good young pitcher ready for the big leagues?

[andy]

reevo, u are a joke.

[Ed Richardson]

"We've all agreed"? Really? If by "we" you mean yourself and Galloway, then that is an accurate statement. If not, then you couldn't be further off base. If a team wants to be a championship team, they make decisions based upon what is best for the TEAM. The second any professional sports team lets any INDIVIDUAL override what is best for the team for selfish reasons, then the team isn't going to win many championships. As great a guy as Young is, if he was really the "team" player we're all giving him credit for being, he would have said, "You've got it, JD. If you and Wash and Nolan think this move will help us win, then I'll move to third, I'll continue to play my guts out, and I'll help the kid develop into a good player." THAT is what a team player would say. JD handled this situation like it needed to be handled. He told Young in December that the team was shifting gears and that they wanted him to be ready. Don't fool yourself into thinking Young is upset about the delivery of that message. He's upset about the CONTENT of the message as he's made it clear he thinks he should continue playing short stop.

Your desire to criticize all things JD has really clouded your judgment when it comes to the Rangers.

[Trip Casey]

No, we don't all agree. In fact, I'd guess there are many more folks that think Young is being a selfish crybaby, than those who think the Rangers should have begged, pleaded and groveled.

I think a lot of people accepted the the fact that Young was vastly overpaid relative to his production because of the intangibles he brings to the table. Those intangibles appear to be disintegrating.

The Rangers handled the situation exactly as they should have (unless they talked to him disrespectfully or something like that, which we all know didn't happen.)

[Jared]

I think well agree that you're completely out of touch with reality Reevo, that's what we agree on.

What if Mike wanted to delay Andrus until 2013, when his contract is over?

You just said that what JD and Wash requested of Young would make the team better next season. So who's fault is it that Mike Young isn't on board with that?

Give me a break.

[Sean]

Michael Young is being absolutely ridiculous. Who cares if he doesn't WANT to play 3B, your boss told you to play 3B. Management can not give in like they have to every player in the past. It's just not the way to run a team or a business. Young can play 3B or have is contract voided.

[Keith Money]

Reeves, I'm going to join the contention and say that you are 150% off base here. You HONESTLY think that a player's feelings or desire are more import than staying on course with the direction a team is wanting to go? Come on man, you have got to be kidding me. For years, all the media, and myself has done is bash the Rangers for setting a course, diverting, and then starting a new one. Can you not open your eyes and see that this is about a team direction, and not a personal attack on Mike Young? I can't believe you, and your credibility with the Rangers Fans out here is on the line. Too bad we don't have any choice now where we get our updates from.

And why is it that Michael Young is allowed to have some sort of leverage for moving to Shortstop when Soriano arrived? Young came up as a shortstop, and he VOLUNTEERED to move over to short when Alex was traded. He wasn't Asked by the organization to do it. And believe me, it wasn't a demotion or a step down going from 2nd to short, so I don't feel like he has a legitimate take. So he's basically saying that he shouldn't be asked or told to move AGAIN, when it was he that volunteered to begin with. Makes no sense to me.

[Matt]

I definately do not agree with what you're saying. I am a Michael Young fan, but I am a Ranger fan first. I want the TEAM to win. If moving MY to 3rd helps then it needs to happen. You aren't listening to the Ranger fans when you make statements like this.

[taylor effing journey]

you are an idiot. really glad evan grant was moved off the rangers by the DMN and we still have you. do some research on who all agrees with you before you say "we've all pretty much agreed that the Rangers bungled the Michael Young situation badly." i don't agree, and neither do any of the knowledgeable posters above me.

[Trip Casey]

Why don't you post a link for that Galloway article on this blog. I dare ya.