Rangers GM Jon Daniels named Baseball America’s Executive of the Year

Fresh off the franchise’s first ever World Series appearance, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels was named as Executive of the Year by Baseball America earlier today.

Here’s the man himself, via T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com:

“It’s really an organizational award -- this is a huge operation involving the efforts of so many people,” Daniels said. “I’m just honored to be part of a really talented, creative group, and to accept this on behalf of everyone who works here. Hopefully this is just the beginning. Now we’ve got to find a way to get a little better, to get back there next year, and find a way to win those last three games.”

You won’t find any objections here. Of course, his signature move was swooping in and acquiring Cliff Lee from the Mariners when just about everybody thought he was going to the Yankees. It was a bold and surprising move which immediately transformed the Rangers into legitimate World Series contenders. But remember that he also operated under the uncertainty of bankruptcy and new ownership. Rangers fans should feel very encouraged about the direction of the franchise, regardless of whether they are able to keep Cliff Lee this winter.