Twins GM to do due diligence on Maddon

Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan's patience while searching for a manager rewarded him with an intriguing new candidate on Friday. 

Joe Maddon exercised his opt-out clause and left the Tampa Bay Rays after nine seasons as manager, shocking most of the baseball world, including Ryan.

"It caught my eye, there's no doubt about that," Ryan told Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press. "This is a pretty big opt-out. When I saw it, I was surprised, but it's certainly caught my eye."

While the prospect of Maddon joining the Twins appears to be a long shot, it won't stop Ryan from at least pursuing the two-time American League Manager of the Year. 

"I certainly will do my due diligence on anybody that's available," Ryan said. "Everybody was hoping I would hurry up and get a manager: 'What's taking so long.' Now everybody sees this."

The Twins are currently the only major league team with a vacancy - aside from Tampa Bay - though the Chicago Cubs are rumored front runners for Maddon's services. 

Minnesota was said to have narrowed down its list to three candidates earlier in the week - Paul Molitor, Doug Mientkiewicz and Torey Lovullo - though Ryan stressed that the team is in no rush to make a decision.