The Texas Rangers are getting good news all over the place this week.
First, the team advanced to its first ALCS since 2011 on Tuesday by beating the Baltimore Orioles.
Then, they learned that Associate Manager Will Venable will be staying with the club and won't be looking for managerial openings this offseason.
Per Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
NEWS: Will Venable, Rangers associate manager, has been contacted by multiple @MLB teams regarding their managerial openings, but he’s told those clubs that he’s staying with Texas.
This is a significant development. Venable, 40, is highly regarded in the industry.
At least one report indicated that Venable was the favorite for the Cleveland Guardians job, although that hasn't been corroborated by anyone in that organization.
The Angels, Giants and Mets are also looking for managers at this current time.
Prior to coming to Texas, Venable had worked with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox since his playing career ended.
He spent nine years in the big leagues (2008-2016), playing with the Padres, Rangers and Dodgers. He spent parts of eight years with San Diego and is certainly most known for his career there.
An outfielder, he was a lifetime .249 hitter with 81 homers, 307 RBI and 135 stolen bases. He stole more than 20 bags in four separate seasons and hit a season-high 22 homers in 2013.
As for the Rangers, they'll meet the division rival Houston Astros in the ALCS. That series will begin on Sunday in Houston.
No game time has been announced.
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