The Rangers needed to go nuclear, and they started.

Yesterday, they fired their offensive co-ordinator Donnie Ecker, one more remnant of the Jon Daniels era. It’s never cause for celebration when a coach loses his job, but that comes with the territory. This Rangers offense—that he was in charge of—has been underperforming since 2024. Everyone waited for them to turn the corner last year and they didn’t. This year was even worse. Pick a stat and the Rangers are at or near the bottom in every offensive category.

Eventually, something has to change. And it did. It’s often unfair when a coach loses his job. It would be hard to argue that in this case. Yes, the Rangers have played a number of games without Corey Seager. But they shouldn’t have to rely on just one hitter. And the approach of the at-bats this year has been pitiful. No discernable two-strike approach. No ability to string together hits. Extra-base hits are more rare than an honest politician. Home runs even scarcer.

No team has scored fewer runs than the Rangers. A year and seven weeks is long enough to wait for something to change. Ecker hits the unemployment line knowing he has a World Series ring with the Rangers. And a long string of failure.

Then, to show they are really serious about winning, Texas put Leody Taveras on waivers a few hours later. The remaining 29 teams can claim him, but must pick up the remaining portion of his $4.75 million salary.

Taveras never turned the corner at the plate. He showed promise but always fell back. This year, he’s struggling with a .241 average and .259 on-base percentage. He has a career OPS+ of 85, meaning he is 15 percent less productive than the average major league player.

With Evan Carter learning how to hit again in the minor leagues and Dustin Harris a better option in center, there was just no room for Taveras.

You wonder if there will be more changes coming. There should be.

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