Jeff Wilpon: Mets are sticking with Terry Collins

Joe Maddon opted out of his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier today, but Jeff Wilpon has told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that the Mets are not in the market for a new manager. Heyman's full tweet reads:

Received emphatic, concise response from mets jeff wilpon. "No -- we are not changing managers."

It was initially reported by Peter Gammons that friends of Maddon suggested the Mets and Cubs as possible landing spots this offseason.

Maddon has managed the Rays since 2006, winning AL Manager of the Year twice, in 2008 and 2011. Under Maddon, the Rays have reached the playoffs four times in the last seven seasons. Maddon is one of the most highly respected managers in all of baseball, and he should have no trouble finding a new job. Until he settles in with a new team, there will be tons of speculation as to where he will sign, but right now the Cubs are viewed as the favorite to sign him, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports

The Mets announced last month that Terry Collins will return for his fifth season managing the Mets in 2015. He has managed the Mets since 2011, and the club has yet to produce a winning season during his tenure. Collins's current contract with the Mets will last until the end of the 2015 season, with a team option for 2016.