ARLINGTON, Texas — The first general manager to lead the Texas Rangers to a World Series title is sticking around.
The Rangers on Friday announced a multi-year contract extension for Chris Young, and also a promotion: He'll now hold the title of President of Baseball Operations.
Young, who joined the Rangers in 2020 as an executive vice president and general manager, is from Highland Park and pitched for Texas as a player.
“While the opportunity to be a part of a World Series Championship in my hometown was a tremendous thrill, our goal is to field a club that can contend for playoff berths every season," Young said in a statement. "I’m grateful to Ray Davis for the trust he’s placed in me, and I’m confident we’ll be successful on this mission. Our fans deserve nothing less.”
While Young's extension isn't much of a surprise, there was the question as to when the Rangers would lock him down long-term, as his contract was expiring and the team is currently facing uncertainty on its Bally Sports television deal.
But Young's place in the franchise is officially secured moving forward.
Young was responsible for building the roster that ultimately led to the Rangers' first championship last year. Texas has struggled in 2024 and are unlikely to make the playoffs. But with much of their struggles due to injuries, Young's Rangers should be in a position to contend again in 2025, especially with the return of ace pitcher Jacob deGrom.
And Young would pull off a rarity with the Rangers if the club's development of pitching prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker comes to fruition.
Rocker made his majors debut Thursday night and dominated the Seattle Mariners in four innings of work, striking out seven batters. Leiter has struggled off and on as a prospect and in his brief time in the big leagues, but the right-hander has turned a corner of late.
The two prospects would provide Young and the Rangers with something that's rarely been seen in Arlington: Homegrown pitching talent.
