What's Next for Joe Maddon's Managerial Future After Shocking Opt-Out?

So then, are there any takers for a two-time Manager of the Year with a .552 winning percentage since 2008 and an American League pennant to his name?

A guy like that just so happens to be available, you know.

As reported by ESPN's Buster Olney early Friday afternoon, Joe Maddon has chosen to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, effectively making himself a free agent:

This should feel like a shock, but it strikes a balance between being totally surprising and not surprising at all.

It's surprising because Maddon just said last week, via Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, that he "absolutely" wanted to be a Ray. And since his three-year contract was due to run through 2015, he could indeed remain a Ray if he wanted to.

But then there's why this isn't surprising. Maddon stated his desire to remain with the Rays in response to Andrew Friedman leaving the organization to become the president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Given how well he and Maddon worked together, the speculation began immediately over whether Maddon would also leave.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

As it turns out, Friedman's departure is a reason for Maddon's departure. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the opt-out clause Maddon exercised was only to be activated in the event Friedman left the team. And after he did, talks between Maddon and the Rays about his situation grew "contentious."

Which brings us to where Maddon is now: totally free to take a job from whoever wants to offer him one. To this end, we might as well go ahead and ask the question on everyone's mind:

How about the Dodgers?

For now, the answer appears to be "no." It wasn't long after he was hired that Friedman said, via the Associated Press, that incumbent skipper Don Mattingly will "definitely" be managing the Dodgers in 2015. 

There are also some water-on-fire reports out there, including one from Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles:

And Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com:

And lastly, the word straight from the horse's mouth, via Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times:

You can take these reports for what they're worth, and they're certainly worth something. All signs point toward Maddon and the Dodgers having nothing to do with each other in the immediate future.

Of course, we can still speculate about the idea. Because while it may not be imminent, it's a possible union that's just too good not to happen somewhere down the line.

Beyond the money the Dodgers can offer Maddon, taking a job with them would mean being closer to the home he keeps in Long Beach, California, and, of course, reuniting with Friedman.

That in itself could be a deal-maker for both sides. As former Rays senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times last year:

"

Joe and Andrew are as much on the same page as any situation I've ever been around. They have a tremendous respect for each other. They can debate an issue and be on different sides, but when they come out of the room they're unified. That doesn't happen everywhere. There's tremendous connection between the executive division and the field staff. That is very special and a unique situation.

"

It wouldn't be a shocker if Maddon joined the Dodgers after Mattingly's contract runs out following the 2016 season. And even with all the noise to the contrary out there right now, it wouldn't be too surprising if Maddon ended up with the Dodgers a lot sooner than that.

Nick Ut/Associated Press

Sure, Friedman would have to backtrack on his word to make room for Maddon this offseason. But that wouldn't be too hard to do. The uber-rich Dodgers could easily eat the last two years of Mattingly's contract, and nobody's ever accused him of being a manager of Maddon's caliber anyway.

Of course, if Maddon and the Dodgers don't make music, then Maddon will have to find a job elsewhere. That sounds simple enough, as his track record and reputation for excellent in-game and clubhouse management make him a hugely attractive option.

There's just one complication: With the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers all having filled managerial vacancies, the only team with an opening is the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins aren't a bad fit for Maddon. They're in a position to ride a youth movement back to contention within the next couple years, and Maddon's time with the Rays (particularly the 2008 club) says he can handle a job like that just fine. 

But while the job could be to Maddon's liking, the money may be another matter. As Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press pointed out:

If not with the Twins, then Maddon's only going to be managing in 2015 if somebody makes room for him. Fortunately for him, there are plenty of teams besides the Dodgers that could be willing to do so.

That list includes the Chicago Cubs. Ken Rosenthal says they're the horse the industry has picked out:

The Cubs are not unlike the Twins in that they're set for a major youth movement. The difference is that they have a whole lot more talented youth to carry out the process, and they have the money to properly compensate Maddon.

PAUL BEATY/Associated Press

If the Cubs are so inclined, making room for Maddon would only require booting Rick Renteria. That would be awkward given that he was just hired last year, but he's still an unproven manager with a contract that, as Rosenthal pointed out, can be easily eaten.

If the Cubs don't make room for Maddon, a couple of other teams come to mind as speculation-worthy possibilities.

Maddon grew up as a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, who nowadays are a highly analytic and well-structured organization not unlike the one under Friedman in Tampa Bay. Perhaps they'd be willing to nudge aside Mike Matheny to welcome him aboard.

Sticking in the NL Central, the Cincinnati Reds might be another option. Bryan Price just finished up his first year as a manager, and the Reds could view Maddon's laid-back style as a welcome change of pace from Price's fire-and-brimstone approach.

The Toronto Blue Jays are another team that could be intrigued. They know that Maddon knows his way around the AL East, and John Gibbons is set to be a lame duck in 2015 anyway.

The New York Mets are another possible option. They're not without their share of promising young talent—all those power arms, man—and Terry Collins is also set to be a lame duck in 2015.

Or maybe Maddon will have a shot at the biggest job of them all. The New York Yankees have Joe Girardi signed through 2017 and have few reasons to blame him for two straight October-less campaigns. But if it means a shot at hiring Maddon, perhaps they'll make Girardi a goat anyway.

If not any of these teams, there's always the possibility of the ol' mystery team emerging from the woodwork. Given how there are few managers who can equal Maddon's ability, the list of candidates can go on for a while.

Options. Now that he's free from the Rays, Maddon has them. Regardless of where he ends up, the only way he's not managing in 2015 is if he decides to do something else.

So then. Any takers?

Note: Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted/linked.  

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