MLB investigating Cubs for tampering in Joe Maddon hire
The Tampa Bay Rays’ worry is now reportedly a real MLB investigation: The Chicago Cubs are being probed for tampering, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, in the aftermath of making Joe Maddon their manager.
Maddon, as you know, opted out of his Rays contract after general manager Andrew Friedman left for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A provision in Maddon’s contract allowed for it. He was introduced 10 days later as the Cubs’ manager.
The Cubs insist everything was by the book — that they even checked with the Commissioner’s Office before contacting Maddon — but the Rays weren’t so sure, and MLB at the very least is giving the complaint due diligence. From The Post:
It is the Rays’ contention Maddon only opted out of his contract because he was made aware of what the Cubs were willing to offer him should he jump. If that indeed occurred, it would be an infraction of major league rules that forbid teams to talk to personnel under contract with another club.
Cubs officials, Maddon and Maddon’s agent, Alan Nero, all previously have denied the matter was discussed until Maddon officially opted out of his deal on Oct. 23. At the General Managers Meetings, both Nero and Rays general manager Matt Silverman refused comment.
If you believe the Cubs’ side of things, they hurried when they learned Maddon had opted out, meeting him at an RV Park in Florida for an interview. This, despite having Rick Renteria in place already as a manager.
It’s hard to blame the Cubs for jumping at the chance to land Maddon — he’s the type of manager who could not only bring a new personality to a team, but energize a fanbase too. The question is whether the Cubs were a little too eager to secure Maddon. We know, for example, they had no problem doing Renteria dirty.
So what happens if the Cubs are found to have tampered with Maddon and the Rays? Keep in mind, first, that this type of case is often hard to prove. But Sherman explains the consequences:
If it is proven the Cubs tampered, they may have to give the Rays some form of compensation, such as a player, draft picks and/or money. It also is possible — especially if any Cubs official lied to MLB investigators — there could be suspensions. The same wing that investigated Alex Rodriguez in the Biogenesis matter is looking into these tampering allegations.
Ohhhh, so this ought to be fun. We know they’re OK with buying stolen evidence. We know they’ll also go to some pretty crazy lengths to investigate game-fixing.
Now we’ll see how hard the MLB investigators go after the Cubs and Maddon. But, heck, maybe he’ll just charm them too.
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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
