The news of Bruce Bochy stepping down as Rangers’ manager comes as a surprise to no one. When his contract was allowed to expire, it was just a matter of time before his tenure expired. If he was coming back, they’d have signed him already.
As relayed by Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young told reporters on a call last evening that they plan to focus on youth amid “financial uncertainty” and the sides decided to part ways due to the lack of a “clear picture” for the 2026 season. Translation: The Rangers are slashing their payroll, and Bochy didn’t see a path to winning.
He obviously saw this coming since he didn’t sign during the season. But then the Giants announced the curious news early yesterday morning that they were letting their manager go, after just having extended him a few months ago. Bochy, of course, made his fame as a Giant’s manager, winning three World Series titles in San Francisco. His catcher for during his glory years was Buster Posey, who is the Giants general manager.
It all seems too convenient and coincidental.
Wherever he goes, whether to San Francisco, to another team, to the Rangers front office, or back to his porch in Nashvlle, Bochy leaves as the most successful manager in Rangers history because of 2023.
The past two seasons haven’t been pleasant. But Bochy didn’t fail to land a closer for the 2025 season. And Bochy didn’t build a roster full of hitters who cannot hit a fastball. And Bochy isn’t going to stick around and watch the team rebuild.
He leaves some big shoes to fill. Ironically, a guy named Shumaker might be filling those shoes. And who knows, maybe the next Rangers manager will be running a team out there without Jacob deGrom or Corey Seager.
But that’s a topic of another day. As for now, goodbye, Bruce Bochy. You deserve much more than the few words written here. And those will surely come during the offseason as well. Here’s a huge tip of the cap. You took this franchise to a height no other manager had. It’s a shame you weren’t given the team to build off that success.
Whatever you do next, wherever you go next, you’ve earned it. Thanks for everything, and good luck.
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