Rays' Silverman optimistic Maddon will sign extension

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon is entering the final season of a three-year deal, fueling speculation that he's destined to join the club's former general manager Andrew Friedman in Los Angeles.

Friedman's successor, Matt Silverman, isn't buying it.

"Joe's our manager," Silverman, the Rays' new head of baseball operations, told the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday. "I see him here this year, and I see him here for many more years."

The Dodgers' hiring of Friedman, coupled with their second straight early round exit from the playoffs, sparked rumors manager Don Mattingly's days in Los Angeles are numbered. Friedman, however, anticipates having the skipper back, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

Maddon has also expressed a desire to stay in Florida (see storyline below) after leading the Rays to four postseason appearances and an AL pennant during his nine-year reign.

"It's hard to imagine this club not being managed by Joe," Silverman said. "We want him here, Joe says he wants to be here, those are the ingredients for another deal. We've had several so far, and I'm hopeful that we're going to have another one."