MESA, Ariz. — What’s a World Series title worth after waiting 108 years?
If you’re Cubs manager Joe Maddon, it’s $1 million a year added to the final three years of your contract.
Maddon said he didn’t know of the increase until he was told by reporters Thursday. He will get $6 million in each of his next three seasons, matching the Giants’ Bruce Bochy and the Angels’ Mike Scioscia for the highest managerial salaries in baseball.
“I think with an escalator of that type, it’s the kind of escalator you hope you’re paying,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “I’m glad we are.”
It’s hard to dispute the value after 200 regular-season victories and five rounds of playoff wins since Maddon took over a last-place team infused with $155 million pitcher Jon Lester and rookie sensations Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber.
“I guess in some way it’s an honor to be considered in that position,” said Maddon, who signed a five-year, $25 million deal in the fall of 2014. “But also it’s a function of where I work, too [for a big-revenue team].
“Honestly, when this all came about, my first thought was the more you could make, the more you could give back,” added Maddon, who made his managerial debut at 51 with the Rays in 2006. “That’s pretty much the concept I’ve been working from since I’ve been here.”
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Email: gwittenmyer@suntimes.com
