Andrew Friedman avoids first crisis by denying interest in Joe Maddon

It’s always something ...

Somehow the Dodgers are in the news, even when they are not. Or at least, did not intend to be. The good news is, at least they struck quickly to avoid a potential firestorm.

It happened Friday when Rays Manager Joe Maddon opted out of his contract. A fat one right down the Dodgers’ speculation alley.

Maddon, of course, during his 11 seasons with the Rays had a long, successful and much-respected relationship with then-general manager Andrew Friedman. You know, the guy the Dodgers hired 10 days ago to run their baseball operations.

Immediately, advanced baseball sabermetrics fired up. One plus one equals: Maddon becoming the Dodgers’ new manager. The Internet was on fire.

Everyone immediately denied it, which as we’ve learned over the years, can mean next to nothing. Only there is reason to believe it this time.

Friedman’s credibility is at stake.

It was a week ago that Friedman sat before L.A.’s assembled media and made absolutely clear that Don Mattingly would “definitely” return as his manager.

“I’m going into it with the mind-set we’re going to work together for a long time,” Friedman said. “I had one manager in the 10 years I’ve been doing this and am looking forward to working with Donnie for a long time.”

A week later he’s going back on his word? Not the way to start.

Now maybe you think he could argue, “Hey, really meant it when I said it, but who knew this wonderful opportunity would pop up?”

Don’t think so. Maddon was able to opt out of his contract now because he had a clause that allowed it should Friedman leave the Rays. Somehow I’m thinking Friedman, his GM at the time, kind of knew about it.

So you want your first act as the Dodgers’ new head baseball honcho to be going back on your word?

Friedman repeated Friday to The Times’ Dylan Hernandez that Mattingly would be his manager next season. And remember, he inherited Maddon in Tampa and they lived happily ever after. Or at least until greater riches called.

Friedman needed to repeat Mattingly would return. And he said it quickly before rumors ignited Maddon was packing for Los Angeles. So Friedman handled his about as well as you could, trying to squash speculation and giving Mattingly something akin to peace.

It’s more fun to speculate Maddon would join the Dodgers as their new general manager.

Maddon has expressed some interest in a front=office position, and naturally, did work well with Friedman. That’s a much more intriguing a possibility, but it would still come with a huge downside – many would view it as unseemly, that Maddon was simply being held in reserve, ready to swoop in as manager the next time Mattingly stumbled.

Chances are much greater that Maddon gets a nice, plum contract to manage somewhere. The Twins have the only current managerial opening, but expect other teams to make their position suddenly available.

This could have been very ugly for the Dodgers. Friedman responded to his first potential catastrophe in a timely and responsible manner. But it’s only one week in, and it’s always something.