Joe Maddon to the Cubs. UPDATE: He’s gone (p 19)

[Felix The Cat]

5y/5m/y + postseason incentives; no opt-out clause

I still don't understand why the Rays gave him an opt-out if Maddon himself wasn't aware of the clause (supposedly).

[BW23]

I think he's a good manager, and pioneer had a good point about him being a "star" manager which important for the organization. But between the white lines - it's going to be Bryant and Baez and Rizzo and Soler and Russell that are going to carry the team, not Maddon.

I, too, think he's a "star". He was competitive with a low payroll for his division. And he markets himself better than any other manager. But that's really it.

[BW23]

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi 2h2 hours ago
The Chicago Cubs have had 54 managers. The United States of America, more than a century older, has had 44 presidents.

[Hoot45]

I hate him already.

[go birds]

looks like a slightly younger harry caray

[heyzeus]

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[Hoot45]

looks like a slightly younger harry caray

Except with Aquafinas instead of Old Styles.

[obucard]

Odds he gets fired before his contract's up?

[Fat_Bulldog]

Was he trying to look like Harry Caray or just a complete [expletive] idiot.

[mikechamp]

Maddon is a very good mgr....but I haven't seen one justification for why he is allegedly the best in the game.

There's still a perceived correlation between payroll and wins. Folks are starting to understand the Young Cheap Talent concept (see: the Cardinal Way), but Maddon was winning before most people understood this, so he gets hailed as a genius. It'll likely get worse if he wins with the Cubs (who have a fresh supply of YCT ready to blossom, much like Tampa when he started there) while the Rays (whose supply is running dry) fall apart.

And yet he still couldn't win a title with the Rays.

But he'll be considered a savior if he merely brings the small bears a pennant. It's been 60+ years since that has happened.