MLB has "unleashed its Department of Investigation to look into whether the Cubs tampered" with new manager Joe Maddon while he was still under contract with the Rays, according to Joel Sherman of the N.Y. POST. It is the Rays’ "contention Maddon only opted out of his contract because he was made aware of what the Cubs were willing to offer him should he jump." Cubs officials, Maddon and Maddon’s agent, Alan Nero, "all previously have denied the matter." If it is "proven the Cubs tampered, they may have to give the Rays some form of compensation, such as a player, draft picks and/or money" (NYPOST.com, 11/10). Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said, "We welcome the MLB investigation. As we said last week there’s no tampering whatsoever, and I’d rather they investigate so we can clear our names and get this over and move on from this quickly. We’re giving our full cooperation and welcome it." In Chicago, Paul Sullivan cites a team source as saying that the investigation "could take a long as a month, but the Cubs are seeking a quick resolution" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/11). Nero said of the allegations, "It's absolutely ridiculous. To me, it's embarrassing. And it's actually defamation of character" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/11).
