Michael Young didn't begin the 2011 season under the best of conditions.
He was in a public squabble with Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels with trade demands and public displeasure after the Rangers acquired Mike Napoli to seemingly be the team's DH and play some first base, which is what Young himself had been relegated to after the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre to man third base.
He was tired of the position changes, and we later learned was very close to becoming a Colorado Rockie before the season began.
Rangers fans, say it with me: Thank goodness that didn't happen.
Young had a career-high 106 RBIs while spending parts of the season in the cleanup role, even after Beltre returned from the DL, and hit a career-high .338. He had the second-most doubles of his career with 41.
He did that while seeing time at first base, second base, third base, designated hitter and even one game at shortstop.
Ron Washington said that role won't change much in 2012, if at all.
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"You never know what may happen in the season and we’re very fortunate to have a Michael Young that we can move around and do different types of things with," Washington told ESPN Dallas.
