Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, who has led the team to three postseason appearances in the last four years, received a a three-year contract extension from the team, according to Marc Topkin in the Tampa Bay Times:

The Rays and manager Joe Maddon have completed a 3-year contract extension, the Times has learned. An announcement is expected Wednesday.

Maddon’s current contract expires as the end of this coming season. Both sides have expressed strong public interest in continuing the successful relationship.

Topkin further reports that the Rays wanted to get this deal done before pitchers and catchers reported to spring training next Monday, Feb. 20. Maddon has been out of the country on a European vacation for several weeks, which is another reason the announcement of the deal has been delayed until now.

Despite operating on a budget that had them shed star players before 2011, the Rays, led by Maddon, had a somewhat-unexpected wild ]-card berth last season. The Rays are expected to contend in the competitive AL East this season as well.