The LA Angels finally have their man in Joe Maddon

There has been so much bad news regarding the LA Angels this past year, especially in recent days with more negative details about the death of Tyler Skaggs. Finally there is some good news to report in Anaheim.

The LA Angels after a week-long limbo period have finally agreed to terms to bring in Joe Maddon as the next Angels manager.  Maddon has agreed to a three-year deal worth reportedly between 12 to 15 million dollars according to multiple sources including the Orange County Register’s Jeff Fletcher.

Two weeks ago the Angels fired manager Brad Ausmus after only one season which was disastrous both on and off the field.  The team went 72-90 and had to cope with the death of Tyler Skaggs.  The Angels immediately targeted Joe Maddon who had just been let go by the Chicago Cubs as his contract was expiring.  After interviewing Maddon last week it seemed imminent that the Angels were going to hire Maddon in hopes of getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Then last Saturday the report came out that Director of Communications Eric Kay was supplying Tyler Skaggs with opioids  for the past few years including three oxycodone pills just three days before he died.  The news spiraled out of control when Kay said that he had told former Vice President of Communications Tim Mead that Tyler Skaggs had a opioid addiction.

More from Halo Hangout

• New York Post columnist has LA Angels bringing veteran starter back to LA
• Dodgers make wild mistake signing failed LA Angels starter
• Why LA Angels’ Qualifying Offer to Raisel Iglesias could become historical
• Both Gold Glove finalists for LA Angels getting snubbed is a complete joke
• Marcus Stroman definitely appears to be interested in the LA Angels

Some may have thought that Joe Maddon may have been having second thoughts of taking over the train wreck that has been the Angels over the past few seasons.  Especially with the recent news surrounding Skaggs’ death.

All of the uncertainty about Maddon being hired by the Angels have been laid to rest this morning as Maddon and the Angels have reached a deal that will bring him back home so to speak.

Before leaving the Angels after the 2005 season Maddon had been with the Angels for 31 years including six years as the Angels bench coach.

https://twitter.com/sportsnation/status/1184504803512193026?s=21

Since leaving the Angels to become the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006, Maddon has taken two teams to the World Series (Rays and Chicago Cubs), been to the League Championship series four times and broke the Chicago Cubs 108-year World Series title drought in 2016. In total Maddon’s teams made the post-season eight times.  Maddon’s record (1252-1067) in 14 seasons managing both Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs.

Maddon will now have the task of trying to turn around the Angels and get them back to the playoffs.  It will be a tall order, but Maddon is up for the challenge.

Now with the Angels managerial search over they now can focus on bringing in some pitching and other areas of need.  At least for one day there is joy in Anaheim.