Texas Rangers ownership apparently decided that this week was the time to make changes in the organization.
Just a couple of days after firing manager Chris Woodward, the Rangers announced they are parting ways with longtime general manager Jon Daniels.
BREAKING: Jon Daniels out as Rangers president of baseball operations, sources tell me and @ThreeTwoEephus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 17, 2022
The team, currently 52-64 and out of the postseason picture in 2022, obviously expected much better performance after spending $500 million just on two middle infielders; Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, plus additional stars such as Jon Gray, Martin Perez, and Kole Calhoun.
Daniels joined the Rangers in 2001 as an assistant in baseball operations.
In 2005, he took over for departing general manager John Hart and became the league’s youngest GM at 28 years old.
Daniels’ Highlights As Rangers GM
He is now leaving as an experienced 44-year-old executive who had his highs and lows, but at least managed to send the Rangers to consecutive World Series in 2010 and 2011.
Those Rangers were one strike away from winning the 2011 Fall Classic in Game 6.
While the Rangers did spend too much money during the offseason, they weren’t really in a position to challenge the Houston Astros or even the Seattle Mariners just yet.
Perhaps 2023 and 2024 were the best targets to really compete, making the right moves, of course.
However, ownership’s patience has evidently worn out, and Daniels, Baseball America’s Executive of the Year in 2010, is now unemployed.
Since winning consecutive AL West division titles in 2015 and 2016, Texas has finished no higher than third in the division since 2017, with three last-place finishes included over that span.
The organization is clearly more competitive now, but player development has been a recent issue.
It remains to be seen who will take over as the person in charge of baseball operations in Texas.
NEXT: Rangers Insider Reminds Fans What Has To Change