The Texas Rangers reworked the contract of manager Jeff Banister in the offseason, giving him a raise and another year on his deal, the team announced Friday.
Banister was named the American League manager of the year in 2015, but Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told the Dallas Morning News that the team would have modified his contract even if he had not won the award.
Banister was signed by the Rangers in October 2014, and his initial deal ran through 2017 with an option for 2018. The new three-year contract includes a raise, a guarantee for 2018 and an option for 2019.
The Rangers had the biggest one-year turnaround in the American League last season in Banister's first season. Texas had a 21-game improvement from 2014, and won the American League West title with an 88-74 record.
"Jeff set the tone from Day One in spring training in 2015 and carried that message throughout the season," Daniels said in statement. "Through the team's early season struggles, he was able to keep everyone focused and that led to a memorable finish. We are proud to have him managing the Texas Rangers."
