SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Conversations with Rangers manager Jeff Banister have softened Shin-Soo Choo's stance on designated hitter.

In January, Choo balked at anything more than a cameo role in the position. After hearing out Banister, Choo has come around on the subject.

"The opportunity to make a better team, I can do that," Choo said Wednesday. "I play for the team first. Everybody comes to spring training working hard for the season with only one goal: win the World Series. That's why I'm here.

"I talked to Banny about what's best for me and best for the team. It's always what's best for the team."

The next step for Banister is to determine the rate at which Choo will be used at DH. Defense will figure into that.

The Rangers had mediocre, at best, outfield defense last season. According to The Fielding Bible, associated with analytics godfather Bill James, they were minus-11 in runs saved by the outfield, the fifth-worst score in the American League. Boston led at plus-42.

The Rangers also had the third-highest number of outfield errors with 23. Outfield errors can be more damaging than infield errors, because they usually allow the opponent to take multiple bases.

"Defense is a premium," Banister said. "We did things last year that other clubs don't do. We had the outfield errors, however, we were one of the winningest teams in baseball. ... We're looking for ways to be a premium defending team."

Choo's defense has deteriorated. In three seasons with the Rangers, Choo is a minus-29 for runs saved according to The Fielding Bible.

"I know I can still play the field," Choo said.

Banister thinks being a full-time DH is a difficult task for all but a select few, such as the recently retired David Ortiz. Banister came close to having a full-time DH with Prince Fielder, but he did get 17 starts at first base in his final 241 games with the Rangers.

Playing the field increases the injury risk for anyone.

Choo last season became the first player to go on the disabled list four times in a season since Derek Jeter in 2013. Choo has been on the DL nine times in the last seven seasons. Choo would have a better chance of staying on the field with extended time at DH.

"There have been conversations about this, talk about the injuries that he's had," Banister said.

The immediate item is helping Choo get his batter's eye back.

From 2012 to '15, Choo averaged 645 plate appearances per season. He had only 210 plate appearances last season.

Choo has to get his eyes back in shape. He has to scrape off rust in the areas of pitch recognition and tracking pitches.

To do that, the Rangers probably will have Choo play in minor league camp games to have days full of plate appearances. He is also using an optic device, popularized by Seattle hitting coach and two-time American League batting champion Edgar Martinez, in which Choo tries to pick up a number on a ball out of a specially designed batting-practice machine.

So far, the going is slow. Choo had two hits Wednesday in a 12-11 victory against Cleveland, raising his average to .211 for 19 at-bats. He has two walks with eight strikeouts. Choo was still chiding himself for a strikeout on a full-count pitch Monday.

"It's OK," Choo said. "Not bad. Not terrible. I don't want to swing at a ball. ... It's hard to take a pitch. [On the strikeout,] that pitch was not even close to the strike zone, and I swung. Too aggressive."

The Rangers believe Choo can be an offensive force. The question is where to use him to get those at-bats.

Twitter: @gfraley

Defensive decline

A look at Shin-Soo Choo's recent annual ratings for defensive runs saved while playing right field, according to The Fielding Bible:

NOTE: RS-runs saved; Choo played center field with Cincinnati in 2013.