Young's Relationship with Rangers not Symbiotic

I really don't think the Texas Rangers know what they have in Michael Young.

For ten major league seasons, Young has quietly built an impressive career with the Rangers. He's never been an overpowering personality, never craved the spotlight, never allowed his ego to drown his on-field performance. He's simply gone about his business, the business of playing professional baseball, and he's done so with remarkable class and dignity.

Too bad the Rangers are not reciprocating here in 2011.

After all Michael Young has done for the franchise, and what he means to it, you would think the Rangers would extend Young the same professionalism they have been beneficiaries of the last ten years. Apparently not. Instead, they take advantage of his accommodating personality and team-player attitude and switch his position three times in eight years. Then they sign Adrian Beltre this offseason, surely a slap in the face to Young and his talents, and mislead him about the team's intentions. And finally, when Young rightfully requests a trade following these managerial decisions, they vilify him and refuse to comply with his wishes. Michael Young doesn't deserve this treatment. A man of his character and stature commands much more respect than what the Rangers are giving him. Defending American League Champions or not, the Rangers have no rights to entitlement here. I'm not sure what general manager Jon Daniels is up to over there in Texas, but whatever he's doing, it's classless and just plain irrational, at least when it comes to Young.

But have you noticed the way Young is reacting? Where some would throw hissy fits and have public arguments with management and cause a huge distraction for the team, Young has quietly slid back into his baseball routine, and done his duty. He's shown up for training camp on time. He's made it clear he won't be a distraction. He's focused on winning again in 2011. Key word? Quietly. And that is what makes Young the professional he is, the kind of player that nowadays is as rare as a winning lottery ticket. No games. No whining. No cowering behind the media. Just business. Just baseball. Just further evidence that the Rangers have lost sight of what they have. Young deserves to play every day, and not be platooned as a DH or demoted to a utility man. He's earned it, and if the Rangers can't pony up the role, the least they could do is move him to a team who can. Simple symbiosis. The Ranger organization has leeched Young long enough. It's time they gave something back.