April 04--Major League Baseball's investigation into alleged tampering by the Cubs in the Joe Maddon signing is heading into extra innings.
An MLB spokesman said Saturday there will be no resolution of the investigation before opening day, as commissioner Rob Manfred promised recently in a press conference in Phoenix.
The Rays accused the Cubs of tampering with Maddon in late October when he was still under contract in Tampa Bay and considering whether to stay or exercise an opt-out clause. The Cubs wound up signing Maddon to a five-year, $25 million deal, firing manager Rick Renteria, who had two years remaining on his contract.
Cubs president Theo Epstein has repeatedly denied the charge, saying they went through the proper MLB channels before talking to Maddon. Epstein said in November he "welcomed" an investigation, and was confident they'd win.
The investigation has gone on for over five months. MLB said it is continuing to gather facts and expects a resolution soon.
