Rays hire former Rangers exec Jon Daniels as senior adviser

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays hired longtime Texas Rangers executive Jon Daniels as a baseball operations senior adviser on Friday.

Daniels spent the previous 21 seasons with the Rangers, including the last 17 overseeing their baseball operations department. He was the longest-tenured top executive in team history.

Daniels was named the Rangers’ general manager on October 4, 2005. He was only 28 and became the youngest GM in Major League Baseball history.

The Rangers made back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010-11 and reached the postseason five times during Daniels’ tenure.

The Rays promoted Kevin Ibach to vice president of player personnel. Also, Samantha Bireley was promoted to assistant director of baseball operations. Jeremy Sowers was named assistant director of major league operations.

Will Cousins, Chanda Lawdermilk and Carlos Rodriguez moved into assistant general manager roles.