SURPRISE, Ariz. – Shin-Soo Choo is hoping the Rangers will sign one more pitcher before the end of Spring Training.

“Hopefully Bartolo [Colon] will come back,” Choo said.

That way, Choo won’t have to hear about being the oldest player on the team. The Rangers' emeritus outfielder turned 36 last summer and now enters his sixth season of a seven-year contract.

There were times in the past it seemed doubtful Choo would make it this far, what with the injuries, the pressures and the dubious perception the Rangers needed to dump the contract.

But Choo, who agreed to a seven-year, $130 million deal before the 2014 season, has proven his staying power and seems to get more comfortable with each passing year.

“I can’t believe this is my sixth year with the Rangers,” Choo said. “Time goes so fast. That means time to really enjoy playing baseball. You always say that but sometimes it is hard to do in the body or mentally. It’s easy to say, but this year I really want to enjoy baseball.”

Choo knows he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He also knows he will likely spend those years as a designated hitter. He is not going to put up a fight, even though he still feels he can play the outfield.

“I know they want me to be the DH, and I will be the DH,” Choo said. “But I am still going to work in the outfield. You have to be ready no matter what. I don’t have any problems running in the field, so I don’t think about being the oldest guy on the team.”

As for retirement ...

“You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Choo said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen next month. But I have a plan. I believe in human fate. I want to keep playing at the end of the contract, but if something is going on, maybe nobody wants me or I can’t play. I don’t play if I’m not wanted, just let me know.”

Choo said he had a good offseason. He spent it in Texas working out with the rest of the team at the MLB Youth Academy in West Dallas. Choo was an All-Star last season for the first time in his career but faded late in the year, hitting .217 with a .316 slugging percentage in the second half.

“Everything is smooth so far,” Choo said. “I don’t know, people tell me I am the oldest guy on the team. Who knows? This could be the best year of my career.”

He is hoping to finish his career with the Rangers, but that is still to be determined. The possibility exists that if Choo continues to be productive, he could be the next Rangers veteran traded for future help. His hefty contract once made that highly unlikely but it’s becoming less onerous with each passing year.

“Who would want to leave the team, especially after five years and you know everybody,” Choo said. “You’re comfortable. But one thing ... [I] definitely want to win a championship. My goal is do it here. That would be the best scenario, [to] give it to the fans.

"I know the Rangers are rebuilding the team, but we have a lot of good players. We need to stay healthy. I don’t care what people say, in sports, you never know. I think we are in a good spot, I think we can give it a good shot and surprise a lot of people. I’m excited and happy [with] where we are at, the communication with the players and the coaching staff.”