OC Register: Joe Maddon said drug questions were never raised during interview with Angels

[AngelsWin.com]

ANAHEIM — Joe Maddon said questions about the circumstances surrounding the death of Tyler Skaggs never entered into the discussion as he and the Angels were talking about him becoming their manager.

“Honestly, I only know what I read,” Maddon said. “That’s all I’ve ever known about the situation with Tyler.”

Maddon added that he figured after he was hired, then he would get more information.

“Hopefully, I’ll be a part of the healing process,” Maddon said. “Other than that, I knew what I read and I haven’t really run away from situations in the past.”

Skaggs died in his suburban Dallas hotel room on July 1, just before the Angels were about to begin a series against the Texas Rangers. Two months later, the medical examiner revealed that he had dangerous opioids in his system. Earlier this month, ESPN published details of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation that reportedly showed Skaggs had been receiving drugs from longtime media relations official Eric Kay. Kay reportedly said he’d used drugs with Skaggs.

Now, the Angels are being investigated by Major League Baseball, which could discipline the team if it’s determined they were aware of Skaggs’ drug use without reporting it. Skaggs’ family might also file a civil suit against the club charging them with liability in his death.

Kay reportedly also said he believed five other players used opioids while with the Angels.

Asked if he believes he is walking into a situation where there is a problem with the clubhouse culture, Maddon said he will begin addressing the issue in spring training.

“This is an insidious situation that permeates our entire population and not just here,” Maddon said. “If there’s any way I can be helpful in that, I’m more than happy to be utilized. But right now, I don’t know a whole lot that I haven’t read.”

COACHING OPENINGS

Maddon said he and General Manager Billy Eppler are in the process of interviewing candidates for the coaching staff. The Angels have at least two openings, at pitching coach and bench coach, although they could replace any of the coaches.

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Mickey Callaway and Mike Butcher are both reportedly candidates to become pitching coach. Butcher was the Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching coach in Maddon’s first season with the Rays, and then took the job with the Angels. Callaway pitched for the Angels and later become pitching coach of the Cleveland Indians and manager of the New York Mets.

AWARDS

Mike Trout was named the Major League Player of the Year and American League Outstanding Player by the MLB Players’ Association. Major league players vote for the awards.

The two-time AL MVP was also named a finalist for the Gold Glove award, which is one of the few honors the center fielder has never won.

Andrelton Simmons, a four-time Gold Glove winner, was a finalist at shortstop. Kole Calhoun, who won the Gold Glove in 2015, was named a finalist in right field. David Fletcher was a finalist at third base in his first full season in the big leagues.

Gold Glove winners will be announced on Nov. 3.

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