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Manager Joe Maddon has exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Maddon had spent the last nine seasons as the manager of the Rays, finishing with a 754-705 record during his tenure.
He led the Rays to the 2008 World Series were they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.
In 2008 and 2011, Maddon was voted American League Manager of the Year.
The departure of Maddon comes 10 days after general manager Andrew Friedman left the Rays to become the President of Baseball Operations for the Dodgers.
[RELATED: Dodgers relieve Colletti of GM duties, hire Friedman]
Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg released a statement regarding the Maddon decision to leave:
“Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out in his current contract, a contract which was not scheduled to expire until after the 2015 season. We tried diligently and aggressively to sign Joe to a third contract extension prior to his decision. As of yesterday afternoon, Joe enabled himself to explore opportunities throughout Major League Baseball. He will not be managing the Rays in 2015. Joe has been our manager for nine seasons, and the foundation of success laid during his tenure endures. We thank him for all that he’s meant to the organization.”
