Report: Joe Maddon’s availability was not a factor in Angels firing Brad Ausmus

The Los Angeles Angels announced their decision to fire manager Brad Ausmus after the Chicago Cubs parted ways with Joe Maddon, but one move apparently had nothing to do with the other.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today was told by a high-ranking Angels official that the team made its decision to move on from Ausmus before knowing what Maddon’s status would be. While Maddon has been viewed as a logical fit to take over in Los Angeles, there was no front-runner for the job as of Monday afternoon.

Maddon will be a candidate for the Angels job and several others. The San Diego Padres have a young, talented roster and are also expected to pursue the 65-year-old. If Maddon enjoyed managing in a big market in Chicago and wants to do that again, the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are two other teams that could very well have managerial vacancies in the near future.

Of course, Maddon has deep ties to the Angels. He was with the organization for 31 years as a player and coach before he was named the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, so it’s easy to see why he is considered the favorite for the job.

It’s also worth noting that Maddon took the Cubs job under similar circumstances to the ones under which he would be taking the Angels job, so we know that is a situation he is comfortable walking into. The Angels are an obvious favorite, but they will have plenty of competition for Maddon.