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.”
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.
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.