Red Sox catch tremendous break with Tim Hyers’ departure

Former Red Sox hitting coach Tim Hyers is headed to the Texas Rangers

You can breathe a sigh of relief, Red Sox Nation.

After declining the Sox’ offer to return in 2022, former hitting coach Tim Hyers is going to the Texas Rangers instead. His replacement in Boston has yet to be determined.

So why is it a good thing that he’s going to the Rangers? How is this a huge break for Boston?

Because he could’ve gone to their greatest rival.

The New York Yankees wanted to hire former Red Sox hitting coach Tim Hyers

Hyers is an incredible coach and the New York Yankees were considering him for their hitting coach vacancy. Many Yankees fans and media members were praying the hire would come to fruition, and it’s not hard to see why.

According to the Red Sox-run @SoxNotes, here’s how the Sox ranked offensively with Hyers:

Not only would Hyers bring his expertise to Boston’s rival and almost certainly improve their already oft-formidable offense, he would also be able to provide them with tremendous insight into his former team’s strengths and weaknesses. His hire would have been the ultimate cheat code for the Yankees.

Instead, he’ll go to a rebuilding Rangers team that has not been at or above .500 since 2016, and remain one of only six MLB franchises to never win a World Series. The Rangers finished the season 60-102, fifth in the AL West. They ranked third from last in MLB in runs scored and RBI, and fifth from last in hits and home runs. Ironically, the only team with fewer doubles than the Rangers (225) was the Yankees (213).

The Sox went 3-4 against the Rangers in 2021, but having Hyers improve the offense of a team Boston only faces seven times per season is ideal compared to him going to the Yankees, whom the Sox face 19 times each year.

Hyers going to the Rangers is the Sox’ loss, but at least it’s not the Yankees’ gain.