The Joe Maddon era in Tampa Bay has officially come to an end.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Maddon decided to opt out of his contract with the Rays ending his tenure as the team’s manager immediately.
Sources: Manager Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and is leaving the Tampa Bay Rays immediately.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 24, 2014
The news comes a week after former Rays general manager Andrew Friedman accepted the position of team president for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tampa Bay Rays’ principle owner Stuart Sternberg also released a statement on the surprising news:
“We tried diligently and aggressively to sign Joe to a third contract extension prior to his decision,” Sternberg said in a statement. “As of (Thursday) afternoon, Joe enabled himself to explore opportunities throughout Major League Baseball.”
Now despite Friedman now in LA, ESPN reports that Maddon’s decision has nothing to do with his former boss’ new gig out west. However it’s going to be interesting to see how things work out with Maddon especially considering Friedman’s comments regarding Don Mattingly saying the current Dodgers manager would be back next season and that he (Friedman) is excited to work with Mattingly for a ‘long time’. Needless to say though in the sports business work is going to be interesting to see where Maddon turns up.
The 2-time American League Manager of the Year, Maddon compiled a 781–729 record over a 9-year period with the Rays. This also included an AL East and American League title back in 2008 before bowing out to the Phillies in five games during the World Series.
