While I know I am probably one of the last ones to weigh in on this, I want to share my opinion on how things went down with Jon Daniels.
I would like to preface it by saying this is not an opinion on the actual firing and if it was needed or not, but on the way and the timing of the decision.
Jon Daniels began his tenure with the Texas Rangers before twitter existed. He was in Arlington for near two decades.
The team has not been competitive for the past six seasons. Was that completely Daniels fault? Probably not, but he would tell you it was.
If I can begin by saying one thing about Jon Daniels, a man I have never met by the way, it would be that he is classy and an all around good and decent person.
There was never a time in his tenure I thought he was shady or underhanded, even through the Nolan Ryan stuff. There were plenty of times I was unhappy or upset at some of his decisions, but I never thought he was shady.
My personal opinion was that he would not return for the 2023 season. I knew his contract was up at the end of this season and many people thought he would be gone. I submit to you that he had that feeling as well.
That is the nature of that business when things are not going well. 2022 has been a minor disappointment. We all thought they would be playing better.
Heads of companies get relieved of duty all the time, but to give no heads up to Jon or his replacement, Chris Young seems an odd choice. From all accounts it was obvious CY was shocked and overwhelmed with the news.
Young lost the person he leaned on for advice and help for his role. That was suddenly taken away from him with no warning.
Ray Davis did not make any friends in the media with the way it all went down. I do understand that there is a section of Rangers fans that wanted Daniels gone at all costs. I’m not even saying that he was doing a good job. I don’t think he was.
The timing didn’t sit well with me, even if the firing did. Davis should have let Daniels exit gracefully. Just my opinion.
Either way, it is done. Davis pretty much guaranteed a winning season in 2023 with a brand new president of baseball operations and a brand new manager.
I personally wish Jon Daniels nothing but the best in his future. I believe the Rangers will be better on the other side of the Daniels era, but he still deserved a better exit from an organization he (and many others) took to their only two World Series appearances.
