October 24, 2014

Maddon on the Split

Joe Maddon talks to MLB.com on why he left the Rays.

“I just hope they will understand that this was a unique opportunity for me and my family, and beyond that, the charities that I’m attached to,” said Maddon explaining the opportunity created by an opt-out clause in his contract that kicked in once Andrew Friedman departed for the Dodgers. “There was nothing else that I was looking for before that. Up until Andrew left I did not have this kind of opportunity whatsoever. And then once Andrew left and this opportunity opened up, I had to consider it.

“And I really ask anybody if they really looked at it, if they will put themselves in my shoes, what would they have done? So it’s not an easy decision, a very difficult decision. Talk about agonizing, that pain in the gut type of stuff, absolutely. But at the end of the day, I thought it was the right thing for me and my family.”

Maddon learned of the opt-out clause when informed by Matt Silverman, Rays president of baseball operations, who was obligated to inform him of the exit window in his contract.

“Matt called me originally, because I was totally unaware of it, I didn’t know,” Maddon said. “And then I knew. And once I had a chance to evaluate it I was able to make up my mind for what we’re doing now. It wasn’t easy. There’s a two-week window there to look at it and then make a decision.”

2 thoughts on “Maddon on the Split

  1. rbj

    I’m confused. Maddon has an opportunity somewhere? Or is it an opportunity to put himself on the market? And he wasn’t aware of a critical part of his contract? That seems out of character for him. An “I forgot” is fine, but not a “did’t know.” Not if you are supposed to be on top of so many things.

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  2. Scooter

    I’m with rbj. There’s quite a list of things here that don’t make sense. This is one of those situations where the explanation does very little actual explaining.

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