Managerial change won't sway Beltre decision

September 22nd, 2018

ARLINGTON -- Third baseman hasn't decided if he wants to play next season. He said the Rangers managerial change won't influence that decision.
"I don't think so," Beltre said after Jeff Banister was dismissed as manager on Friday. "I'm here for whatever they want me to do, that's the bottom line. I think I'm old enough to understand everything that's going on, and I'm old enough to understand that over the last couple of years, the clubhouse is getting younger and younger, and there's been a different situation where - yes, we're probably not going to be competing with the Astros and those guys, we're going to be developing players.
"Is it the ideal situation for anybody? Nah. But I understand what's going on, and that's what they're trying to do to make it how to be the best one of the leaders that I can be to help those guys develop into players and understand a way to win some ballgames."
Second chance for Wakamatsu
Don Wakamatsu is getting a second chance to manage in the Major Leagues and to be the Rangers full-time manager.
Wakamatsu is serving as the Rangers interim manager for the final 10 games of the season. General manager Jon Daniels confirmed that Wakamatsu will get consideration to keep the job full time although a search will be conducted after the season.
"Yeah, I'd like to [be a full-time candidate]," Wakamatsu said. "Absolutely. It's an emotional time for me. Banny approached me this winter about coming on the staff, so, still trying to process a lot of that right now and just really focus on the next 10 days and see how we can finish strong."
Wakamatsu was interviewed for the position in 2006 after serving four years as a coach under Buck Showalter. He appeared to be the favorite for the position, but the Rangers ended up hiring Ron Washington instead.
"I've interviewed quite a few times. But no, not at all. I came back here because of Banny. I came back here because of Jon Daniels, and some of the relationships and comfort level I felt with coming back home. So, no, I don't think a whole lot about that."
Wakamatsu became the Mariners manager in 2009 and led them to an 85-77 record that season. But the Mariners started out 42-70 the following season and Wakamatsu was dismissed in August.
More reaction to Banister firing 
• Pirates manager Clint Hurdle: "That part of the day wasn't what I hoped it'd be. We communicated. He's a good baseball manager. That's the great thing about this game. People can go another place and provide value or a skill or a talent and still be productive. Just because you were fired at one place doesn't mean you're a failure. It's an event, not a person. Jeff's definitely not a failure. He's a good man and a good manager."
• Outfielder : "That's not great news. I played for him last three years. He did a lot of things for the team. This season -- probably for the fans, the front office people -- has not been what they look for. I think for the front office, [this decision] is not really easy to make. It's not easy to make this decision."
Catcher : "For me personally, it was a surprise, so, really going through a lot of processes in my mind and kind of understand why they did this. I guess they have their reasons behind all this, but I wish Jeff the best. He took this team to the postseason twice, and I know he gave everything he could to everybody in this clubhouse."