Joe Maddon exercises opt-out clause; will not manage Rays in 2015
Joe Maddon's nine-year reign as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays is over.
Maddon exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and is leaving the Rays immediately, the team's principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Friday.
The unexpected announcement comes a week after former Rays general manager Andrew Friedman accepted a position with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Maddon's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2015 season.
"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."
Maddon described the decision to leave as "gut-wrenching, almost feeling sick," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He said both sides were far apart in talks on an extension, and that his departure was a combination of financial issues and curiosity over potential opportunities around the league.
Friedman, who was named the Dodgers' new president of baseball operations last week, committed to Don Mattingly as the team's manager for next season during his introductory news conference.
"I'm looking forward to working with Donnie for a long time," Friedman said last week. He added Mattingly would "definitely" return for a fifth season.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports Maddon is not considering Los Angeles as an option, despite speculation linking him to his former Tampa Bay boss. A source told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports that Maddon will not be joining the Dodgers. As of late Friday afternoon, industry insiders considered the Chicago Cubs the front-runners to land the ex-Rays skipper.
Maddon attempted to quell fears of his departure after Friedman's exit, saying: "I want to continue to be a Ray, absolutely."
Heyman says Maddon had a change of heart following some "contentious" days in the aftermath of the Rays' front office shake up.
Maddon, 60, managed the Rays to two division titles and an American League pennant in 2008. He won AL Manager of the Year twice - in 2008 and 2011 - and guided the Rays to a franchise-record 97 wins during their World Series run.
The Rays, who secured playoff berths in four seasons under Maddon's watch, were eliminated from postseason contention for the second time in three years in 2015.
"Joe has been our manager for nine seasons, and the foundation of success laid during his tenure endures," Sternberg said. "We thank him for all that's meant to the organization."