Mike Maddux.jpg

Mike Maddux has been the Texas Rangers' pitching coach since 2009.

(AP File Photo)

Two years ago, Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux flirted with the idea of becoming a manager, drawing serious interest from the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.

Ultimately, he decided to stay with the Rangers and withdrew his name from the process so he could remain close to his two daughters who were in school in Texas.

But this time around, Maddux is ready to take the next step, and he has his eyes set on the Detroit Tigers' managerial opening, a position he said has turned into one of the marquee jobs in recent years.

"I'd absolutely be interested," Maddux told MLive.com late Thursday. "I'd be flattered."

The Tigers officially started interviewing candidates for the vacant managerial job Thursday,

. They're expected to continue interviewing candidates this week and the following week.

As of late Thursday Detroit had not reached out to Maddux, the brother of former Cubs star Greg Maddux, but he has been mentioned in several local and national reports as a possible candidate to replace Jim Leyland in a field that is expected to grow the next few days.

Maddux, who has no managing experience, is an intriguing name in a field of flawed candidates. He was mentioned in early October as a possible candidate to replace Dale Sveum in Chicago, but confirmed he hasn't been contacted by Cubs officials as of Thursday.

"It's one thing to have interest. It's another to have them be interested," he said in a phone conversation. "It's a two-way street."

Both the Tigers and Cubs would need to ask for permission from the Rangers to contact Maddux.

For now, it appears Maddux -- who pitched for nine different teams in the majors over a 15-year span -- will turn his attention to Detroit, one of four major league teams looking for new managers this offseason.

"This team is built to win now," Maddux said. "I would try to put my own brand on it and just try to fill Jim Leyland's shoes -- not that anyone will be able to fill his shoes."

Maddux, 52, has been the Rangers' pitching coach since 2009 and is considered among the best pitching coaches in the American League. When asked about the possibility of managing arguably the best rotation in the majors, he said it'd be an "absolute treat."

"They've got a spectacular rotation with a 1-2 punch that keeps you on your toes," Maddux said. "They're good in the bullpen. They've got youth in between. Jim Leyland has put them in a position to succeed."

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