Shortstop Michael Young is not playing along, but the Texas Rangers have ideas of a grand position shuffle in 2009. Young, a five-time All-Star at short, is unhappy that the organization has “told” him to move to third base, according to the Dallas Morning News, and is demanding a trade. Young’s discontent puts a damper on moves that could work quite well for fantasy owners.

Young inexplicably won his first Gold Glove at shortstop last season, despite defensive statistics suggesting he was one of the most stationary in the game. A move to third would give the Rangers more range, but with inexperienced Elvis Andrus at short.

In fantasy leagues, Young would still maintain his shortstop eligibility throughout the ‘09 season, which is a good thing. His high-average, low-power package works much better in the middle infield.

But this move is less about Young and more about Andrus and third baseman Hank Blalock. If things go swimmingly, a path would be cleared for Andrus, who has premium base stealing abilities, and a means would be provided for Blalock to slip into a full-time designated hitter role. Blalock has flashed big power potential, but has struggled to stay healthy; keeping him off the field would solve that problem.

Andrus was part of the package the Atlanta Braves traded to Texas in the Mark Teixeira deal in 2007. Since arriving in the organization, Andrus has hit .296 with 6 home runs, 77 RBIs and 68 stolen bases in 145 games between High-A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco. In 2008, he recorded career-highs with a .300 average and 53 steals.

The Rangers seem intent on giving Andrus an everyday role in ‘09, regardless of how the tense situation with Young plays out. In Daniels’ best-case scenario, Young would be at third base, with Andrus at shortstop, Ian Kinsler at second base and Chris Davis at first.

Fantasy owners don’t have to worry about a delicate situation with a face-of-the-franchise type player in Young. We just have to stay sharp and react to whichever decisions, good or bad, Daniels and his staff make this offseason.