Twitter Reaction To Joe Maddon Leaving Tampa Bay Rays
Friedman’s arrival had many believing Joe Maddon was the next shoe to fall, but Friedman said Mattingly would return next season and Maddon had one more year remaining on his contract barring the expected signing of an extension.
However, the landscape changed Friday with news Maddon opted out of the final year of his contract after he and the Rays were unable to agree on an extension. Thus far, the Dodgers aren’t believed to be in the running for Maddon, but that certainly could change.
Maddon’s unforeseen departure sent waves throughout baseball and elicited plenty of responses. Below is a quick roundup of the best tweets from Twitter.
Given Maddon’s initial response to Friedman leaving the Rays, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale called the situation strange:
One week ago, Joe Maddon was adamant that he had no interest in leaving #Rays after Friedman left; one week later, he opts out. Strange.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 24, 2014
While Friedman and Maddon certainly have a longstanding friendship, David Vassegh of AM 570 provides a reminder of Mattingly’s good standing with owner Mark Walter:
1 thing that hasn't changed from day Friedman was hired to today is the backing Don Mattingly has from Mark Walter. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) October 24, 2014
Baseball analyst Peter Gammons has early predictions from Maddon’s friends:
First guess from Maddon friends:Cubs, Mets
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) October 24, 2014
While reports may suggest otherwise, ESPN’s Jayson Stark implies he isn’t necessarily sold on Maddon not joining the Dodgers:
Both #Dodgers and #Rays indicating Maddon isn't going to LA. Which means there's a blockbuster coming.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) October 24, 2014
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution believes the Chicago Cubs will land the big free agent:
My bet: No way Theo passes on Maddon again. Expect Cubs to buy out Renteria and welcome Joe to a soon-to-be refurbished Wrigley.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) October 24, 2014
Always entertaining on Twitter, Preston Mattingly wondered aloud if there was something he may have missed:
Anything going on in the baseball world today?
— Preston Mattingly (@Pmattingly30) October 24, 2014
For now, Mattingly remains on track to manage the Dodgers in 2015 but as was seen with Maddon, situations can change on a whim.
[divide] Dodgers Introduce Andrew Friedman As President Of Baseball Operations
Preston Mattingly and his dad suck at baseball. Who cares what Preston says he obviously can’t see whats coming just like he can’t see a baseball to hit it.
The only reason he got into baseball was because his daddy.