BREAKING: Rays manager Joe Maddon exercises an opt-out clause in his contract and is leaving the team immediately. pic.twitter.com/haQq77H4yJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 24, 2014
There is a new buzz around the search for a new Twins manager after Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced that he was opting-out of his contract with the Rays.
The news could be a game changer in the Twins search. Immediately Maddon becomes one of the hottest managerial commodities in baseball.
In nine seasons with Tampa Bay he posted a 754-705 record with the Rays. Maddon led the organization to all four of its playoff appearances, including their only World Series appearance in 2008.
The Twins currently have the only other managerial opening in MLB, and it appears they are interested in the former Rays skipper.
Twins will contact Joe Maddon, according to sources
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) October 24, 2014
Terry Ryan on Maddon: "Everybody was hoping I would hurry up and get a manager. 'What’s taking so long?' Now everybody sees this." #MNTwins
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) October 24, 2014
Ryan on why he won't make definitive statements on mgr: "I'm not going to box myself in. Today’s a prime example. No one expected this …"
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) October 24, 2014
1500 ESPN’s Phil Mackey says if given the chance the Twins would be foolish not to talk to Maddon.
“With any manager the Twins take a flier on – Molitor, Lovullo, Doug Mientkiewicz – they’d be hoping he pans out like Maddon, who might be one of the youngest-spirited 60-year-olds in baseball history.
It all depends on what Maddon wants”
Maddon said he doesn’t have anything worked out yet, but he hopes to manage in 2015. Most experts though aren’t even mentioning the Twins as a possible destination for him.
Or the St. Paul Saints for that matter.
We would like to announce we have no plans to interview Joe Maddon. George Tsamis will remain our manager.
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) October 24, 2014
CBS Sports reports that most baseball execs think Maddon could be headed to the Cubs.
“Cubs president Theo Epstein interviewed Maddon for the Red Sox managerial job in 2003 when he hired Terry Francona and watched him within the division for years. The Cubs are also looking to make some bold moves this winter.”
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Mets, Blue Jays, Braves and Mariners could all be candidates to dump their current manager to hire Maddon.
