Angels hire Maddon after Cubs let him go
The Angels have hired Joe Maddon to be their manager on a three-year deal.
“Every stop he has made throughout his managerial career he has built a culture that is focused on winning while also allowing his players to thrive,” general manager Billy Eppler said in a statement. “We believe Joe will be a great asset for our Club and look forward to him leading the team to another World Series Championship.”
The deal returns Maddon, 65, to the organization where he spent the first 31 years of his baseball career. He began as a catcher, before starting a coaching career that led him to the major league staff in 1994 as Mike Scioscia’s bench coach.
Maddon left after the 2005 season to manage the Rays, leading them to the 2008 World Series, and to a playoff berth in four of six years. He exercised an opt-out in his contract after 2014 and was hired by the Cubs, signing a five-year, $28 million deal. He became their most successful manager in franchise history, leading the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908 and four consecutive playoff berths. He was fired after the season when they lost 10 of their last 12 games.
The Angels, who fired manager Brad Ausmus after one year, also interviewed former manager John Farrell and Padres hitting coach Johnny Washington.
Maddon is the first managerial hire of the winter with seven openings remaining. He joins an organization that hasn’t won a playoff game in 10 years, reaching October once, despite having MVP candidate Mike Trout.
The Angels also are in a tumultuous time with the drugoverdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.