ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 4: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Tampa Bay Rays reads his lineup card in the dugout during the fifth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 4, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Rays manager Joe Maddon has decided to opt out of his contract according to Buster Olney of ESPN. The Rays confirmed the news through their Twitter account. Maddon is leaving the Rays job immediately with no known destiantion at this time.

Sources: Manager Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and is leaving the Tampa Bay Rays immediately. — Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 24, 2014

The rumor is true: Joe Maddon has opted out of his contract, which would've expired after 2015. This ends his 9-year tenure as Rays manager. — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 24, 2014

From the Rays official press release:

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—This morning, Tampa Bay Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg issued the following statement regarding Joe Maddon’s contract situation:

“Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out in his current contract, a contract which was not scheduled to expire until after the 2015 season. We tried diligently and aggressively to sign Joe to a third contract extension prior to his decision. As of yesterday afternoon, Joe enabled himself to explore opportunities throughout Major League Baseball. He will not be managing the Rays in 2015. Joe has been our manager for nine seasons, and the foundation of success laid during his tenure endures. We thank him for all that he’s meant to the organization.”