Texas Rangers extend Ron Washington through 2015

Apr 10, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington (38) looks at the scoreboard during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.The Rays beat the Rangers 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Today, the Texas Rangers announced they will be keeping manager Ron Washington through 2015.  There was a lot of talk about his contract going into spring training.  Some were wondering if it would add any stress to the skipper.  I fully expected that expected that either way this went, waiting until the end for season or doing it now didn’t make a difference to Ron Washington.

After the announcement Jon Daniels commented.

"“Ron Washington leads our club with a vast knowledge and passion for the game,” said Rangers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jon Daniels. “Under Wash’s guidance and tutelage, the Rangers have enjoyed their greatest successes in franchise history. I look forward to working with him to build on that success in 2014 and beyond.”  (Texas Rangers- Press Release)"

This announcement comes just one week into spring training and basically a new team for the manager.  No the team isn’t 100% new, but there have been several changes made since 2012.  This year Washington will have several big bats in his lineup and potentially one of the best starting rotations if everyone is able to get healthy.

In my opinion, this was a good move by the Rangers, I know he says it doesn’t bother him, but this does take one thing off his plate.  He has plenty to deal with in spring training with injuries to several of his pitchers and working to bring several new players together as a team.

Some might debate that Washington should go now, mainly because of the way 2013, 2012 and 2011 ended.  Washington will tell you that he is a manager that goes by his gut and not analytics and yes, at times that has caused him some issues.  But looking back to 2013, injuries and the suspension of Nelson Cruz caused the team to take a tailspin last year.  Many talked about his play in the World Series.  It’s tough enough to get to the World Series, and even harder to get there back-to-back.  No one could have guessed that Cruz would have missed that ball.  It’s easy to say now to switch  him out for Endy Chavez, but Washington went for power at the plate and it didn’t work.

Washington has 2 more years in Texas, maybe more.  If things do go south, maybe a change will happen.  But he’s the guy like and the guy they should have as the manager.

Notes on Ron Washington

• 611 regular season wins
• .538 career wining percentage
• Tied for the 4th longest tenure among active managers
• 3 consecutive playoff appearances.
• He has managed 1135 games, (Bobby Valentine managed 1186 games)