As Joe Maddon Leaves Rays, Cubs Speculation Heats Up
(CBS) Joe Maddon won't be returning to manage the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays announced Friday that Maddon has exercised an opt-out in his contract, which was due to expire after next season.
With former Rays general manager Andrew Friedman recently taking over the baseball operations department of the Dodgers, it was thought Maddon may join him in Los Angeles. But the Dodgers previously said Don Mattingly will return as manager, and that sentiment was emphasized upon hearing Friday's news, ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne reported.
Dodgers source says Maddon news reported by Buster Olney has "nothing to do with us"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 24, 2014
Mattingly's initial conversations with Friedman went well, source said. He cane away feeling Friedman liked "continuity"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 24, 2014
With the Dodgers appearing to stay pat with Mattingly, the Cubs are being speculated by multiple national writers as an eventual destination for Maddon, whose agent told the Tampa Bay Times that he expects Maddon to manage in 2015.
Cubs manager Rick Renteria is under contract through 2016, with club options for 2017 and 2018, but some in the game don't view him as the long-term leader for Chicago once the contending-for-championships phase begins for a team with loads of premier young talent.
My guess on Joe Maddon: He eventually winds up with the Cubs.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 24, 2014
Within industry, #Cubs viewed as a leading contender for Maddon. Renteria signed through 2016. Team could simply pay off rest of his deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 24, 2014
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said the franchise tried its best to keep Maddon, who is one of the most well-respected managers in all of baseball.
"We tried diligently and aggressively to sign Joe to a third contract extension prior to his decision," Sternberg said in a statement. "As of yesterday afternoon, Joe enabled himself to explore opportunities throughout major league baseball. He will not be managing the Rays in 2015."
Maddon has managed the Rays for nine seasons, compiling a 754-705 record. He led took Tampa Bay to the playoffs four times and won the AL pennant in 2008.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.