Rangers fire president Jon Daniels after 20 seasons with organization

The Texas Rangers have fired longtime executive Jon Daniels. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

The Texas Rangers continued to clean house by firing longtime President of Baseball Operations Jon Daniels on Wednesday.

The move comes after manager Chris Woodward was fired on Monday.

Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Young, who was hired in 2020, will now lead the Rangers' baseball operations department.

“This morning I informed Jon Daniels that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season and that he is being relieved of his duties effective immediately,” Ray Davis, the Rangers Managing Partner and Majority Owner, said in a statement.

“Jon’s accomplishments in his 17 years running our baseball operations department have been numerous... His impact on the growth of our player development, scouting, and analytics groups has been immense. Jon has always had the best interests of the Rangers organization in mind on and off the field and in the community."

Daniels was originally hired into the Rangers' baseball operations department in 2002 and served as the club's GM from 2005 to '13 before being promoted to president.

The Rangers made the playoffs in five of seven seasons from 2010-16, including losing twice in the World Series in 2010 and 2011. But the club has declined in recent years and, with a 52-64 record, is on pace to miss the playoffs for a sixth-straight season.

This season has been especially disappointing after an aggressive off-season in which the Rangers committed close to $500 million to star infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien on long-term contracts, and brought in former Rockies ace Jon Grey. However, a slow start and a historically bad record in one-run games has the Rangers still looking for answers as the season hits its final weeks.

In the statement announcing Daniels' firing, Davis made clear that ownership has higher expectations for the play on the field.

"...The bottom line is we have not had a winning record since 2016 and for much of that time, have not been competitive in the A.L. West Division. While I am certain we are heading in the right direction, I feel a change in the leadership of the baseball operations department will be beneficial going forward," Davis said.

“Chris Young is one of the top young baseball executives in the business and in his 21 months on the job has brought welcome energy and new ideas to the organization. I am confident in Chris’ ability to lead our baseball operations with the goal of producing a consistent winner on the field."

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