While Michael Young is willing to shift roles into being the club's primary designated hitter and super utility man, he still believes he can play defense. And the job that the Rangers have described to him includes making sure he gets on the field to spell the regulars in the infield. That includes grabbing a first base glove and learning a position he's never played.

"I’m an everyday player," Young said. "I’ll be moving around from position to position and I expect to be kept active, and if that means I have to get some of my 700 plate appearances at first base that's the way it has to be. I'm going to welcome a challenge to a new position."

Young thought he was going to be at third base and would have preferred to stay there. But he is ready to adapt to his new role.

"I don’t take these moves lightly," Young said. "I’m extremely competitive when it comes to this game. I want to go out there, and I want to accomplish my goals the way I set out to do them. If I have to make some adjustments along the way, I’m going to have to do that. It doesn’t change the way I feel about my goals or accomplishing the things I set out to accomplish."

Young was willing to make the move because he wants to stay a Ranger and keep winning and playing in the postseason.

"I want to be back with this team," Young said. "I love my teammates. I have a great relationship with all of them. We have a great thing going in our clubhouse. When you factor in the fact that I live here, my family is comfortable here, my kids were both born here and they are comfortable here. This is where I want to play. This is where I want to make the biggest impact in terms of my baseball career."

And just because Young is going to get most of his at-bats at DH doesn't mean he believes his days as a good defender are over. Young was asked if he saw parallels to Paul Molitor's career. Molitor became a DH later in his career and put together very good numbers. He said no in that Molitor "was physically at a point where he had to DH."

"I still feel like I can be extremely productive defensive player," Young said. "My goal this year was to really take off at third. Obviously, I have a new role to focus on. I’m not closing the door on my willingness or confidence to be a good defender at any position."