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Mazz: Red Sox Should Make A Run At Joe Maddon

BOSTON (CBS) -- Joe Maddon has opted out of his deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, making the two-time American League Manager of the Year a free agent.

Tony Massarotti has one message for the Boston Red Sox: Make a run at him.

The Red Sox have John Farrell signed through next season, with an option for the 2016 season. While Mazz has nothing against Farrell, he says take a shot at landing Maddon.

"I know this will come off as a 'you don't like John Farrell?' -- No, but I like Joe Maddon better," said Mazz.

"The guy can manage. Particularly when it comes to a bullpen," said Mazz. "To me that is one of the more important things, as we're learning in this World Series; to set up a bullpen that you can turn over the game to in the sixth inning and they can lock it down and close it out for you."

Mazz is even more intrigued by Maddon's ability to mold younger players.

"The Red Sox are going to have some young players -- Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, a young catcher and some young pitching. Who has better experience steering young players to success than Joe Maddon?"

In opting out though, Maddon likely already has his next job lined up. Just as soon as he left the Rays, rumors began to swirl that Theo Epstein's Chicago Cubs were the favorites to land Maddon.

Maddon went 754-705  in nine seasons with Tampa Bay, leading them to the AL pennant in 2009. The Rays lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series that year.

In 2014, Tampa Bay went 77-85, the first year since 2009 the Rays did not win 90 games.

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