Gary Pettis Leaves Texas Rangers for Houston Astros

ARLINGTON, Tex. — In one day the Texas Rangers hired new manager Jeff Banister, and lost third base coach Gary Pettis.

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Evan Grant (The Dallas Morning News) reports that Rangers third base coach Gary Pettis will now be with Houston Astros. Grant also states that Pettis interviewed with the Astros before Texas hired Jeff Banister.

Gary Pettis served as the Texas Rangers outfield and baserunning instructor. Heading into the 2014 season the Rangers have posted 3 of the top-5 single season steal totals in team history…runners had steals in 13 straight to end the 2013 campaign, longest steals streak in team history. Under Pettis’ tenure, Texas accumulated 655 stolen bases in five seasons (2009-2013), ranking 2nd in the majors in that span, and is a club-best.

Pettis is the last of Ron Washington‘s original staff from 2007, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. As our own David Cash wrote, Jon Daniels & Co. appear to be doing a little pre-Spring Training cleaning.

Hitting coach Dave Magadan has interviewed with the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. David also points out that all coaching staff has permission to seek employment outside the organization.

The Texas Rangers have not stated who they will hire to replace Gary Pettis. Or, if JD is giving skipper Jeff Banister the freedom to bring in a team of coaches he trusts and would like to have with him.

It is also unclear if bench coach-turned-interim manager Tim Bogar will remain with the club as a coach.

My commitment to the Rangers organization and the players has never wavered” (Mike Maddux via Evan Grant, The Dallas Morning News)

Another coach who interviewed for the managerial position that could seemingly leave the Texas Rangers is pitching coach Mike Maddux. Although his contract is up at the end of the month, Maddux has stated that his wish is to stay on with the Rangers, and he is currently in Arizona helping with the instructional league.

The offseason has not even officially begun and Jon Daniels is already shaking things up. I’m not complaining. I like that he went out, interviewed managerial prospects, whittled it down to three, and then made a decision.

When you hire a new manager it makes sense to let that person be the one who decides he’d like to work with. Now, I’m not saying that Banister came in and said “Pettis you’re out. Maddux, I guess you can stay or go doesn’t matter, Bogar you’re out go to NY.” Because, he didn’t. Again, I don’t know that to be factual, but it is more realistic that he didn’t do that.

Now that JD has hired the Texas Rangers new manager he can move forward and start planning offseason player moves. This should get interesting.

What do you think? Was Banister the correct move? Are you surprised that Pettis is going to the Astros?