Other Sports Epstein on the "cusp" of deal with Cubs

Carlota69 · 10-11-2011, 05:23 PM

http://jacobsmediablog.com/2011/10/10/kickass/

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [October 11, 2011 at 5:44pm CST]
Boston GM Theo Epstein is "on the cusp" of leaving the Red Sox for a job with the Cubs, according to Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald. Red Sox ownership still hopes to retain Epstein and if he is to leave, Boston will demand "something real" as compensation.

Epstein's proposed deal with the Cubs would include more power than he has in Boston, according to Buckley. The teams could make an announcement within a day or two and the situation will be "resolved very soon."

When Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts outlined his ideal GM candidate after firing Jim Hendry, he said he wanted someone with a commitment to player development and a strong analytical background who came from a background of success. Epstein, who became Boston's GM in 2002, certainly qualifies.

The Red Sox won two World Series titles under Epstein (2004, 2007) and have made six playoff appearances since 2003. They missed the postseason for the second consecutive year in 2011 after a September slide that cost manager Terry Francona his job. Our Transaction Tracker has every one of Epstein's moves as GM. Check out Tim Dierkes' look ahead to the Cubs' offseason for a preview of Epstein's first winter in the Windy City.

If this happens, guess where Pujols is going....

**MahiMike** · 10-11-2011, 05:25 PM

Awesome. Wait till I tell Mr. Kotter!

whoman69 · 10-11-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahiMike

Awesome. Wait till I tell Mr. Kotter!

If he's going to GM for the Cubs, he might want to get a note from his mother.

jd1020 · 10-11-2011, 05:25 PM

Personally, I'd rather have Friedman because of what he does with no bank roll. But, although the Cubs aren't as big as Bostons market, he'll still have plenty of bank roll to buy a couple of WS.

whoman69 · 10-11-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Personally, I'd rather have Friedman because of what he does with no bank roll. But, although the Cubs aren't as big as Bostons market, he'll still have plenty of bank roll to buy a couple of WS.

Unfortunately that money is tied up in current player contracts that will be difficult to move.

jd1020 · 10-11-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

Unfortunately that money is tied up in current player contracts that will be difficult to move.

Well aware of that, being a Cubs fan, but there's around 30mil coming off the books this offseason. And with Zambrano having his foot in the door down in Miami thats 1 more terrible contract off the books. He'll have plenty of money to do something this offseason. Much more than last offseason where the big thing was signing Pena to a 10mil deal with only 5 of it due this year.

SnakeXJones · 10-11-2011, 05:26 PM

Epstein would be the last person I would want at GM

jd1020 · 10-11-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

I wonder if he'll trade too much for a Boston relief pitcher

Castro for Wakefield.

RJ · 10-11-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeXJones

Epstein would be the last person I would want at GM

Why is that?

Rams Fan · 10-11-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Why is that?

Look at the free agents he has signed lately and their performance.

RJ · 10-11-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Look at the free agents he has signed lately and their performance.

I'm not an Epstein fan or Red Sox fan but I don't understand why anyone would say "he's the last person I would want at GM". The Lackey signing was bad but the Gonzalez trade was great. Crawford had a bad season but that doesn't mean signing him was a bad decision. I'm an Orioles fan and I'd be quite happy to have the guy as GM. He's probably a bit overrated because of the Boston thing and the Moneyball thing but I think most teams could do worse.

Sannyasi · 10-11-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

I'm not an Epstein fan or Red Sox fan but I don't understand why anyone would say "he's the last person I would want at GM". The Lackey signing was bad but the Gonzalez trade was great. Crawford had a bad season but that doesn't mean signing him was a bad decision. I'm an Orioles fan and I'd be quite happy to have the guy as GM. He's probably a bit overrated because of the Boston thing and the Moneyball thing but I think most teams could do worse.

Not to mention Epstein wanted no part of signing Lackey.

Rams Fan · 10-11-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

I'm not an Epstein fan or Red Sox fan but I don't understand why anyone would say "he's the last person I would want at GM". The Lackey signing was bad but the Gonzalez trade was great. Crawford had a bad season but that doesn't mean signing him was a bad decision. I'm an Orioles fan and I'd be quite happy to have the guy as GM. He's probably a bit overrated because of the Boston thing and the Moneyball thing but I think most teams could do worse.

I don't think Theo's a bad GM. I think he's above average and has made some poor decisions, but what GMs don't? I'm not saying the Crawford signing was a bad one(I think he'll rebound next season), but so many, many, many people overrate Theo.

I also think he misses Jed Hoyer a bit.

Brock · 10-11-2011, 05:28 PM

I wonder if he'll trade too much for a Boston relief pitcher

tk13 · 10-11-2011, 05:29 PM

This isn't even the most surprising news of the day for me. Apparently the White Sox were considering making Paul Konerko player/manager before hiring Robin Ventura.

10-11-2011, 05:23 PM	Topic Starter
Carlota69 MVP Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas Casino cash: $9925282	Epstein on the "cusp" of deal with Cubs http://jacobsmediablog.com/2011/10/10/kickass/ By Ben Nicholson-Smith [October 11, 2011 at 5:44pm CST] Boston GM Theo Epstein is "on the cusp" of leaving the Red Sox for a job with the Cubs, according to Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald. Red Sox ownership still hopes to retain Epstein and if he is to leave, Boston will demand "something real" as compensation. Epstein's proposed deal with the Cubs would include more power than he has in Boston, according to Buckley. The teams could make an announcement within a day or two and the situation will be "resolved very soon." When Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts outlined his ideal GM candidate after firing Jim Hendry, he said he wanted someone with a commitment to player development and a strong analytical background who came from a background of success. Epstein, who became Boston's GM in 2002, certainly qualifies. The Red Sox won two World Series titles under Epstein (2004, 2007) and have made six playoff appearances since 2003. They missed the postseason for the second consecutive year in 2011 after a September slide that cost manager Terry Francona his job. Our Transaction Tracker has every one of Epstein's moves as GM. Check out Tim Dierkes' look ahead to the Cubs' offseason for a preview of Epstein's first winter in the Windy City. If this happens, guess where Pujols is going....
Posts: 6,592

10-11-2011, 05:25 PM	#2
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	Awesome. Wait till I tell Mr. Kotter! Attached Thumbnails __________________ 99.9%
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10-11-2011, 05:25 PM	#4
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7632645	Personally, I'd rather have Friedman because of what he does with no bank roll. But, although the Cubs aren't as big as Bostons market, he'll still have plenty of bank roll to buy a couple of WS.
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10-11-2011, 05:26 PM	#7
SnakeXJones In Snake We Trust Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KCK Casino cash: $10004985	Epstein would be the last person I would want at GM
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10-11-2011, 05:28 PM	#14
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	I wonder if he'll trade too much for a Boston relief pitcher
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10-11-2011, 05:29 PM	#15
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $522500	This isn't even the most surprising news of the day for me. Apparently the White Sox were considering making Paul Konerko player/manager before hiring Robin Ventura.
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