The Rangers announced that they have exercised manager Chris Woodward’s option for 2022. The former major league infielder is now in line to spend at least four seasons as the Rangers’ skipper.
Now 44 years old, Woodward became the Rangers’ manager going into 2019. Before he went to Texas, Woodward worked as the third base coach for the Dodgers.
The Rangers have gone just 100-122 during Woodward’s reign, though it’s hard to fault him for that subpar record. The team has been in a rebuild, after all, and it looks as if this will be another difficult year in the standings for Texas. Nevertheless, the Rangers appear as if they’ll lean on the power structure of president of baseball operations Jon Daniels, new general manager Chris Young and Woodward for at least the next two years.
HALfromVA
Might as well
nacb55
Good for him. I think he brings the right mentality to the position, I always liked his presence on the Dodgers.
mlb9229
Agreed. Very happy about this move. He was fantastic with the Dodgers. Congrats, Chris!
Rangers29
yay.
Ducky Buckin Fent
I’m not feeling a whole lot of enthusiasm, man. I don’t really have a feel for him.
Honestly, do you like that they’re committing to him, or na?
cecildawg
Gosh D F F. He always spoke so highly of you!
Ducky Buckin Fent
I dunno.
I think you’re overstating his opinion of me, @dawg.
All he actually said was, “cool socks, bro”.
jorge78
LOL
danny g. 2
I don’t. His vibe feels like an interim manager, just there to do the bare manager tasks. What does he bring to the table that other managers don’t?
Rangers29
The unenthusiastic “yay.” was sarcasm lol. I don’t like this. I still have a pipe dream that Jeff Mathis can start a coaching career with us and someday become the manager of this cesspool.
I was wanting us to hire Rick Renteria this PAST off-season, and at the very least I wanted us to hire him next off-season, but yet again that dream’s gone.
I ain’t a fan of Woody though. He’s a very weak manager, and not very enthusiastic at all. I remember last year he got tossed from a game in Arizona after arguing with the ump, and instead of getting his money’s worth out of the situation, he instead tucked his tail in silence and walked to the dugout. Just not a very good leader. I’d say he’s a fine game caller, but I’d rather have anybody else as the manager purely because of how weak his leadership skills are. Granted this could also be because we just got over Jeff Banister era lol.
Ducky Buckin Fent
There are a number of Yankee fans – who have takes I find to be generally valid – that firmly believe Boone’s “bleeping savages” rant was entirely rehearsed & orchestrated.
From here, it looks like the Rangers are planning for the ’23 season, maybe. We knew ’21 is going to be a rebuilding year. Probably try to be competitive in ’22, then bring in a new guy if they think it’ll help.
Looking at the contract arrangement & the timing of things I see why they are going to run it back with him in ’22.
Mathis is still trying to play though.
Isn’t he?
jorge78
I defer to Rangers29 expertise…..
Rangers29
IF Mathis retired after this season I would’ve liked to see it. Or he could be a player/coach as a backup catcher.
Btw, this is what standing up for your players looks like: youtube.com/watch?v=x_nJTGBWFQU
Ducky Buckin Fent
“standing up for your players” looks very similar to “getting your money’s worth” to me.
Hell.
If you’re getting run, get it in. I’ll admit, it’s inelegant. Feels good, though.
Rangers29
I just want somebody with more fire and passion than Woodward. Somebody that can defend his players while keeping a good environment and being loose at the same time. Ron Washington was one of my favorite managers ever; it’s just too bad about his addiction. I’m still hoping he can make a comeback to managing soon.
Ducky Buckin Fent
He was a good manager.
Whoofed up the 3rd base lines but – hey – nobody’s perfect.
Modified_6
I can’t stand Woody. He is the definition of soft. I would have liked Gabe Kapler.
DarkSide830
Curious the TEX fan take on Hyeon-Jong Yang. Early returns look good on paper, or do the stats lie. He’s a neat story having to sign a minors deal. Could he be a darkhorse for the closing spot or even SP5 with the injuries mounting on the staff (I’d assume Allard and Hearn are front-runners for the 5 spot, but the pen is ravaged and lacks extremely proven options save LeClerc (who isnt much of an “option” right now) so…)
Phil Haverdink
Yea, with Leclerc out for the season there are even more questions, looks like Ian Kennedy and Matt Bush.
Hard to say about Yang, has he faced entire lineups of big leaguers or NRI’s and prospects? The worst he can do for us is eat innings, I guess his addition to the roster depends on whether or not he has any opt-outs.
jorge78
Don’t know about the NRIs’ as his Quality of Opponent number is missing from Baseball Reference…..
DarkSide830
well he is starting tonight. for what it’s worth.
FrankRoo
What stats? 6 spring training innings? Any stats from a sample size like that lie.
He’s 33 and had mediocre /9 numbers in the KBO. I’d rather sign his teammate Aaron Brooks who faced the same competition with much better results. I’d be more than happy with 120 innings below an ERA of 4.75 as a swingman, 10-15 starts.
DarkSide830
well, ya gotta work with the stats you have.
Rangers29
YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE DARKSIDE!!!
I wrote this “article” on him before his first ST appearance, and all that is shown here has been echoed throughout ST as well. I really like the guy.
Here: lonestarball.com/2021/2/21/22281789/hyeon-jong-yan…
DarkSide830
ill make sure to take a look
Rangers29
Thanks man, it took a little while to make, but I’m happy it turned out good.
balkertexasranger
I’m honestly not much of a fan of Woody, especially after the Tatis grandslam stuff
balkertexasranger
Glad to see a lot of other Ranger fans agreeing about Woodward. I want to give a shout out to the Padres for allowing me to be a part time fan of them while the Rangers work back
DodgerOK
He’s the “good teaching manager”. Then they will dump him when they are ready to win.
SodoMojo90
I’m glad they’re not letting him go. I always liked him on the Mariners and he is the consummate pro. Hate that he is on a division rival but don’t want to see him get fired either.
Deleted_User
Padres fans say “Thank you” to Chris Woodward for turning their organization’s fortunes around.
Rsox
Woodward seems like the guy that will help guide the team through the hardest part of the rebuild and then be replaced when the team is ready to legitimately contend again