SURPRISE, Ariz. – Mike Olt was able to escape the cold of Connecticut before Nemo blasted the northeast.
That gave him time to get to Arizona early to get ready for spring training. What his role will be this spring remains to be seen and Olt is fine with that.
"I'm everywhere," Olt said. "Third. First. Outfield. I'm going to focus a little bit more on first and the outfield. Last year in spring training I was so focused on third base knowing I was going to be going back to Double A and playing third base. This year it's going to be focusing on my weaknesses."
Olt, who has been in Surprise two weeks, was told to be ready to work in the outfield. He played three games in the outfield for Double A Frisco last year and started once there for the Rangers, making an error at Yankee Stadium.
Olt doesn't see playing the outfield as an issue.
"I'm comfortable," said Olt, who also played some outfield this winter in the Dominican Republic. "I will be comfortable once I practice. I never practiced last year. I was just going out there, playing three games in Frisco randomly and once in the big leagues. Once I practice I feel like I could be pretty good."
While Olt doesn't know where he'll play this year or if he'll make the Rangers, at least he'll be with the Texas organization. That wasn't a guarantee after his name surfaced several times this offseason in trade talks.
"I'm happy I'm still with Texas and hopefully there's going to be a spot with me," he said. "I was able to stay with Texas and I have a good opportunity here."
