Joe Maddon return to Angels appears unlikely

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said he spoke to Joe Maddon on Wednesday yet had no indication that Maddon was on the verge of opting out of his contract as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays.

When told of the news Friday morning, Scioscia said, “Wow, really? I didn’t even know he had an opt-out.”

Maddon spent 31 years in the Angels organization as a minor league manager, scout, roving hitting instructor and major league coach, and he served as Scioscia’s bench coach from 2000-2005 before taking the Tampa Bay job.

Though the Angels think very highly of Maddon, it appears unlikely that he would return to Anaheim any time soon.

Scioscia, who has guided the Angels to the 2002 World Series championship and six American League West titles in 15 years, has four years and about $20 million left on his contract and has “no plans” to step down.

“I’m coming back next year, for sure,” he said.