ARLINGTON, Texas — Longtime Texas Rangers front-office executive Jon Daniels has been fired, two days after the club fired manager Chris Woodward, the team announced Wednesday.
“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,” Rangers Managing Partner & Majority Owner Ray Davis said in a news release.
Daniels released a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying it's been an unbelievable experience leading the Rangers franchise and that he and his family were thankful to so many people along the way.
"To all of the Rangers fans out there. For your passion and support," Daniels wrote. "Thank you for welcoming us into your community. There are some spectacularly talented and driven people in the organization, from CY throughout the operation. There are going to be amazing moments in the summers and falls again soon, and you will get the parade you deserve."
Daniels also thanked every player, coach, scout, trainer and staff member he worked with with the Rangers.
"You are the reason I loved every minute of this job," he wrote. "The shared experiences, good and bad, are the things I cherish most. Excited to watch what you build from here."
Jon Daniels joined the Rangers as the youngest general manager in baseball history as a 28-year-old in 2006.
He then presided over the height of the Rangers' success, including back-to-back World Series runs in 2010 and 2011, and subsequent playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016.
Daniels was promoted to Rangers president of baseball operations in 2013, a title he held until his firing this week.
In recent years, the Rangers have struggled mightily, losing 102 games in 2021. This year, the club flirted with .500 before struggling into the All-Star break.
"But 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," Daniels said. "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."
The Rangers are 52-64 entering Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics.
Chris Young, a former Rangers pitcher, was named the club's general manager before the 2021 season.
Young alone will now be tasked with completing the Rangers' rebuild efforts, which have included high-profile signings of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager and the drafting of top pitching prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.