Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
There is speculation around the Texas Rangers organization that Nolan Ryan, now CEO, could leave the team after being removed as team president. Rangers GM Jon Daniels will now take over as president.
Now, the Rangers must keep Daniels with the team. That’s no question. The problem they’re getting into is that they may be squeezing Ryan out of the organization as a whole. This is purely speculation, but as the day goes on, it is becoming more and more likely that he could be on his way out with the Rangers organization.
Where would Ryan go if he did leave the Rangers? That is where the Houston Astros come into play.
Let me make this as clear as possible. Once again, this is all speculation. But I’m also not the only one thinking this. A story on Yahoo mentioned the fact that Ryan could come to the Astros if left the Rangers, as did an article from the Houston Chronicle.
Now, if the Rangers are foolish enough to let Ryan walk, the Astros should jump all over the chance to get him back in Houston. It is no question that he played a large role in the Rangers’ turnaround from mediocre to an elite baseball team over the past few years and he could do the same thing in Houston.
The Astros are already making a dramatic change in their farm system. They went from having one of the worst farm systems in baseball, to having a top ten farm system. That was in one year with Jim Crane and Jeff Luhnow. Now add Ryan into that mix and you could be looking at landing some good Major League players in 2014–specifically, good pitchers. Ryan knows what he is doing and he is doing it right. With his experience in Houston as a pitcher, he is almost a perfect fit to join the Astros.
Now I pose the question: Could Nolan Ryan leave the Rangers for the Astros? I believe he could. If he does in fact leave the Rangers, I fully believe he lands in Houston and will be welcomed with open arms.
What we must remember is that this is all speculation. We will have to wait and see how this entire situation plays out.
Lee White is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, ”Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
