Tampa Bay Rays Could Pursue Tampering Charges Over Joe Maddon

The Tampa Bay Rays lost manager Joe Maddon on Friday afternoon when he opted out of his contract, but that may not be the end of his story in Tampa Bay.

When the Tampa Bay Rays lost Joe Maddon to managerial free agency this week, the club mentioned how hard they tried to get him to come back. This is standard language to use when you’re spurned so unexpectedly, but with the Rays it could have deeper meaning.

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Almost as soon as the news was announced that Maddon would be leaving Tampa Bay, there was mention of the Chicago Cubs as a possible landing spot for the veteran skipper. This has now cause suspicions of tampering to arise, as the Cubs could be in some hot water if they end up hiring Maddon.

According to ESPNs Buster Olney, the Rays could end up pursuing tampering charges against the Cubs if Maddon is hired there this offseason.

This may lead to the Cubs waiting a while to hire Maddon, if they’re indeed interested in him. Then again, if they had nothing to do with his leaving Tampa Bay, there should be no problem in bringing him on.

It’s all a giant puzzle that the Rays want solved but this could also all be coming from a place where the team is simply hurt they lost Maddon in such sudden fashion.

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