Not so long ago, it was impossible to find a harsh word about Michael Young.

He has spent his nine-year major league career in a Rangers uniform, earning a reputation as a hard worker, a relentless competitor and a team-first type of guy. Despite all of the attention outfielder Josh Hamilton attracted during his breakthrough season in Arlington this past summer, Young remained the face of the franchise—and deservedly so.

But now Young finds himself in the middle of a controversy.

The Rangers recently decided they’d be better off with Young—and his five-year, $80 million contract extension that kicks in for the 2009 season—at third base so they can give shortstop-of-the-future Elvis Andrus a good look in spring training.

Young was, shall we say, less than thrilled at the manner in which this proposed move was presented to him. He wasn’t asked if he’d consider sliding over to third base; he was told that was what would happen.

So, Young told Rangers general manager Jon Daniels he wanted to be traded.

That didn’t bolster the team-first reputation Young had earned since he joined the big-league squad for good in 2001. He already has switched positions once, going from second base to shortstop when the Rangers picked up Alfonso Soriano before the 2004 season. He doesn’t want to do it again, and some view that stance as a selfish act.

Young won a Gold Glove this past season, though most scouts will tell you he is not, in fact, the best fielding shortstop in the American League. It wouldn’t be the first time the award has been given to the wrong person.

“He is a solid defensive shortstop, but lacks plus range,” one long-time scout says. “He has lost a step or two over the years. That is one of the reasons they would like to move him to third base. He is not as good as guys like Orlando Cabrera or Jimmy Rollins.”

At third base, the range factor isn’t nearly as much of an issue. It’s more of a reaction-type position, and Young figures to make a fine third baseman in time.

Speaking of time, it figures to take a bit of time before Andrus is ready to fulfill his potential at shortstop. That is why the timing of this “request” by Daniels is a bit odd. Andrus is only 20 and hasn’t played above Class AA. He made 32 errors at shortstop for Frisco in 2008, batting .295 with 65 RBIs and 54 stolen bases.

“Andrus has the potential to be a future All-Star,” says Frank Neville, a Phoenix-based scout and regular Sporting News contributor. “That said, he’s not an All-Star now, and I think it’d be a big mistake to plug him into the Texas lineup in 2009. He has great hands, plus bat speed, and made progress with his approach at the plate in 2008. However, he still doesn’t have much power because his balance is not always good. And even with improved mechanics, he won’t be more than a 10-15 home run guy. He’s similarly raw on defense—great tools, including range, arm, hands, but he’s been inconsistent and his performance has not matched his skills. He’s only 20 and has great makeup—very mature for a guy his age. So, long-term I like him a lot, but I wouldn’t look for him to really contribute this year.”

The idea of having a raw Andrus at shortstop and a learning-on-the-job Young at third base can’t be a settling feeling for the Rangers’ always beleaguered pitching staff. But if the Rangers get their way, that’s what will happen in the upcoming season.

If Young gets his way, he’ll be playing somewhere else in 2009. But where?

There aren’t many options. In this harsh of an economy, the $16 million a year he is owed (though $15 million is deferred) looks like an enormous amount for a 32-year old who doesn’t have the power he once did. Plus, Young has a complete no-trade clause, so he can veto any deal he doesn’t like (he gave Daniels a short list of teams to which he’d accept a trade). And, like virtually every other Rangers hitter, his home numbers are better than his road numbers. Still, the Rangers are shopping him.

Boston seems like the best fit. Right now, the Red Sox have Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie in the mix at shortstop, though Lowrie probably has more value as an infield super-sub. And there would be very few tears shed by Red Sox Nation if Lugo wasn’t around on opening day. The Red Sox have the financial resources to accommodate Young, though the Rangers likely would foot a substantial portion of his earnings in any trade scenario. Picking up a perennial All-Star to fill a weak spot in the lineup would help Boston offset the Yankees’ fantastic offseason.

Ryan Fagan is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.