 10/24/2003 9:19 AM ET
Fuson will be GM in 2005
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By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
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ARLINGTON -- Rangers owner Tom Hicks plans to stick to his plan and turn the general manager's job over to assistant GM Grady Fuson after the 2004 season.
"The bottom line is that it is business as usual, and John [Hart] will continue to run the ship," said Fuson. "We have talked that I might be closer to John this season, but we have to take one step at a time. John has one year on his contract, and so do I.
"I am very content helping put the organization together from the ground up. We are looking to improve the team to compete as soon as possible. We are also looking for long-term continuity."
Fuson's ascension to the GM spot has been the subject of speculation ever since he and Hart were hired after the 2001 season, but the topic was never officially made public before this week.
Hart's three-year, $6 million contract expires after the 2004 season, and the general manager could remain with the Rangers as a special assistant to the owner as originally stated in his contract.
Hart did not return calls on Thursday.
The Rangers are 143-181 in two seasons with Hart as GM and have exceeded $100 million in payroll each year during that span. The diligent Hart was busy during the season, acquiring 11 players/prospects after May 27. He has also been a strong supporter of the club's youth movement and the development of such players as Hank Blalock, Mark Teixeira, Laynce Nix and Michael Young.
Following are the notable moves made during the 2003 season.
May 27: The club traded Esteban Yan to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfield prospect Rick Asadoorian.
June 6: The club traded outfielder Ruben Sierra to the New York Yankees for outfielder Marcus Thames.
July 1: The club sent outfielder Carl Everett and cash to the Chicago White Sox for right-handed pitching prospects Frankie Francisco and Josh Rupe, and outfield prospect Anthony Webster.
July 11: The club sent Ugueth Urbina and cash to the Florida Marlins for left-handed pitching prospect Ryan Snare, first-base prospect Adrian Gonzalez, and outfield prospect Will Smith.
July 18: The club traded outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Shane Spencer and right-handed pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez.
July 30: The club traded Doug Glanville to the Chicago Cubs for outfield prospect Jason Fransz and cash.
Hart's first move as the Rangers GM, in November 2001, was the signing of a three-year deal with reliever Todd Van Poppel. He acquired the versatile Herbert Perry through a trade one day later, on Nov. 27, and hired current first-base coach DeMarlo Hale on Nov. 28.
Among the many acquisitions made under Hart's guidance were John Thomson, Ricardo Rodriguez, Urbina, Chan Ho Park, Juan Gonzalez, Everett, Jay Powell, Ryan Drese, Ruben Rivera and John Rocker.
For his part, Fuson has orchestrated and led the last two First-Year Player Drafts, and is primarily in charge of scouting and player development.
Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its
clubs.
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