NEWSLETTER
Good for Joe Maddon. None of what happened was ever a reflection of the quality of his work with the Chicago Cubs, or of his capability to be the right manager elsewhere going forward. So I’m glad this is happening for him.
Maddon reportedly interviewed with his former organization yesterday, and could be named the top dog any moment now:
Sources: Joe Maddon interviews with the #LAAngels today. Word is, he’s their top choice, and they are his top choice. Things look lined up for a Maddon/Angels marriage.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 7, 2019
Multiple sources expect #Angels to announce Joe Maddon as new manager as soon as a day or two after his interview this week. Says one source: "It's a fait accompli, isn't it?"
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 8, 2019
#LAAngels owner Arte Moreno is said to want Joe Maddon back in fold. His interview went “very well” today and Maddon’s 1st choice is LAA. He has home in the OC, and most important, he likes Arte from his time there. At this point, very hard to envision this going another way.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 8, 2019
When the Cubs and Maddon decided to part ways after five years, the Angels fired their first-year manager Brad Ausmus almost immediately. Sure, they played all the right notes about wanting a different guy, lots of candidates, yada yada, but it was pretty transparent to everyone that they wanted Maddon. And, it certainly seemed logical that Maddon would want the Angels.
If it happens, it’ll be another great challenge for Maddon. Despite superstars and a healthy payroll, they haven’t had a winning record since 2015, and have made the playoffs just once in the last decade. With Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and maybe Gerrit Cole(?), Maddon would certainly have a group to work with.
Back to his old stomping grounds, where he made his bones as a bench coach in the early 2000s …
