Inside The Decision For Rangers, Assistant GM Shiraz Rehman To 'Mutually' Part Ways
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers have not only been going through plenty of changes on the field, but have been going through some organizational changes over the past few seasons as well. A couple of major changes have been the club's overhaul of player development throughout 2018 and 2019, and the hiring of Chris Young as the ninth general manager in Rangers history in December 2020.
On Thursday, the next big decision came as the club announced that assistant general manager Shiraz Rehman left the organization this week.
“After discussions with Shiraz, we mutually agreed that it is best to part ways at this time,” said Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels. “Shiraz has expressed a desire to seek a new opportunity where he can utilize his experiences and take on a more significant role than we currently have available. Since joining the Rangers, Shiraz played an important role in our process to shape the future of the franchise and ensure on-field success for the years ahead.
"The Rangers want to thank Shiraz for his contributions and wish him the very best for the future.”
Rehman joined the Rangers in October 2018 after seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs, in which he helped build a contending team that won the World Series in 2016. This is his 17th season in Major League Baseball, ten of which have been as an assistant general manager.
As assistant general manager with the Rangers, Rehman was involved in all aspects of baseball operations, including supporting Daniels and Young on trades and acquisitions. He also oversaw roster management of the big league club, negotiations and structuring of player contracts, helped lead the Rangers' efforts in the salary arbitration process, and oversaw the budgetary process of department.
Multiple sources confirm with InsideTheRangers.com that the Rangers have not yet spoken with anyone in regards to filling the vacancy left by Rehman's departure, and will not be interviewing anyone "for some time". And in the meantime, as the Rangers are going through the process of defining roles within the front office, assistant director of baseball operations Ben Baroody will take on much of Rehman's responsibilities in the short term.
This leaves the Rangers with two other assistant GMs that support Daniels and Young:
Josh Boyd oversees all functions of pro player evaluation, including the Pacific Rim scouting operations and the R&D department. Boyd also advises Daniels and Young on pro player acquisitions. Mike Daly oversees the minor league and player development department.
Both Boyd and Daly have been with the Rangers for well more than a decade.
After the dynamic shifted with the hiring of Chris Young, many may have wondered just who is calling the shots in the Rangers front office this season. Jon Daniels is the president, but Chris Young is in a position that typically makes the impactful decisions that decide the direction of the organization.
After the club made the bold decision to trade Joey Gallo prior to the deadline, Daniels addressed the balance of power in the front office this season, particularly his partnership with Young.
"We've always had a strong team around," Daniels said on July 29. "I've handled a lot of the club conversations. CY has handled some of them. Shiraz has handled some. Josh has handled some. [Senior director of International and pro scouting Ross Fenstermaker] has handled some. It's kind of the nature of how we've attacked things. But we make decisions as a group."
Daniels also said Young is "heavily involved" in everything the group does. After he was hired, Young was very clear that his job would come with a learning curve. But now with his involvement in the draft — including having a key role in making Jack Leiter as Texas Ranger — and a trade deadline that included some crucial decisions, it's feasible that Young could see more responsibility moving forward.
Once the Rangers are done defining the long-term roles in the front office, we should have a better gauge on how the dynamic shifts as Young enters his second season as the Rangers general manager. A crucial winter is on the horizon for the rebuilding Rangers, and they have momentum on their side with their farm system on the rise. And that makes any change in the front office just as important as any change on the field.
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