Joe Maddon and the Angels have seemed destined for a reunion for weeks, and it appears it will in fact happen.
Maddon is "close" to a deal to manage the team, MLB Network reported Wednesday.
The reunion is no surprise, as Maddon spent his entire professional life in the Angels organization before moving on to manage Tampa Bay in 2006.
He signed with the franchise as a minor league catcher in 1975 and held a variety of roles throughout the system before ascending to the major league coaching staff in 1994. Maddon served as interim manager of the Angels in 1996 and 1999 and was Mike Scioscia's right-hand man as the bench coach from 2000-05 before leaving to take over the downtrodden Devil Rays.
Maddon quickly became a star in Tampa Bay, leading the franchise that had never before had a winning record to the World Series in 2008 before eventually moving on to guide the Cubs to their first title in 108 years in 2016.
He has a 1,252-1,068 career record (.540), and only Terry Francona (1,667) has more wins among active managers.
The Angels fired Brad Ausmus after just one season in which he went 72-90.
