Rangers fire manager Chris Woodward months after $500 million spending spree

The Texas Rangers spent over $500 million in the offseason, but that wasn't enough to save manager Chris Woodward's job. The team fired Woodward on Monday, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

The Rangers confirmed the news, naming Tony Beasley their interim manager.

The decision comes months after the team splurged on Jon Gray, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in the offseason. Seager signed a 10-year, $325 million deal, Semien signed a seven-year, $175 million deal and Gray signed a four-year, $56 million deal. Despite those additions, the team is 51-63, and trending for its fourth straight season below .500.

Woodward, 46, was hired by the team following the 2018 MLB season. The Rangers were coming off a 67-95 record that season. Things improved to 78-84 in Woodward's first season at the helm, but declined after that. The Rangers bottomed out in 2021, finishing 60-102. Things weren't that bad in 2022, but the Rangers had higher expectations after signing Gray, Seager and Semien. In four years with the team, Woodward went 211-287.

Where do the Rangers go after firing Chris Woodward?

Even with the additions of Gray, Seager and Semien, the Rangers weren't expected to contend in 2022. There were clear issues with the team, a 6-24 record in one-run games was a significant factor, but the Rangers were performing better this season. The team's run differential was just -2, suggesting it was performing closer to .500 ball than its record indicates.

The fact that the Rangers were underperforming was enough for the team to fire Woodward. Still, the team was performing better, and could inch closer to postseason contention with another strong offseason. The front office and Rangers ownership will need to determine what players can push the team forward and find a manager capable of getting the best out of the rest of the roster so the team can return to the postseason for the first time since 2016.