According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Texas Rangers have agreed to contract extensions with both general manager Jon Daniels and assistant general manager Thad Levine. Both deals are believed to be five-years in length and an official announcement from the organization could come as soon as Friday morning.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Texas’ first two World Series appearances have come in Daniels’ nine-year tenure, but the acquisition of Prince Fielder in a trade that sent fan favorite Ian Kinsler to Detroit followed by a dismal 2014 campaign marked a low spot for the 37-year-old front office head.
"Daniels’ tenure has been largely successful, but the Rangers are coming off a season wrecked by injuries when a four-year streak of 90-win seasons was halted by a 67-95 season. But the timing is understandable in that his old contract had been due to expire after the 2015 season."
According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, both deals span five years. Daniels’ contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2015 season. According to the same report, talks with the duo went back to the summer months, and after Levine was sought for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ GM vacancy, the team ensured it would not lose another front office member after several less-than-stable years of late.
"The moves help stabilize the power structure after a period of transiency. Club CEO Nolan Ryan resigned in October, 2013 after six seasons. Assistant general manager A.J. Preller moved to San Diego as the general manager in August. Senior special assistant to the general manager for scouting Don Welke joined Preller."
Despite the struggles of 2014, the Rangers are viewed, by many, as a bounce back candidate next season given the plethora of injuries that ravaged the team. Daniels could look to add some pieces to compliment existing cornerstones such as Yu Darvish and Fielder, both of whom succumbed to health issues this season, but the team’s offseason plans are yet to materialize.
Regardless, locking up both Daniels and Levine long-term is step one of the offseason for a team looking for another trip to the Fall Classic.