As I wrote on February 6, per a tweet from Bob Nightengale of the USA Today (embedded below), the tampering case between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs is still open.
The #Cubs insist there was no tampering involving the hiring of Joe Maddon.The #Rays insist they have proof the #Cubs tampered. Stay tuned.,
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 5, 2015
And while the Cubs insist that there was no tampering at play in their hiring of manager Joe Maddon, the Rays insist that they have evidence to the contrary. Maddon signed a five-year deal with the Cubs, just 10 days after opting out of his deal with Tampa Bay — though word that an agreement leaked just seven days after his opt-out.
New major league baseball commissioner Rob Manfred chimed in, saying the investigation is still “ongoing,” while an unnamed source indicated it should be completed before the start of the 2015 season.
According to Jesse Rogers (ESPN), Manfred was asked Thursday if the tampering accusation was over. Manfred responded,
Over would not be the appropriate word to describe. There is an ongoing investigation. To the extent it’s concluded, one way or another, we’ll be transparent about that. We’ll let you know.
Rogers also wrote that a rival executive said nothing will come of the charges, however Manfred warned not to jump to conclusions until the investigation is complete.