Theo Epstein Nearing Deal with Cubs

The rumors surrounding Theo Epstein have been ongoing since the Red Sox dropped game 162, thus completing their epic September collapse.  Now, just weeks after that fateful Wednesday night, it appears Epstein is ready to follow manager Terry Francona out of town.  Reports are surfacing that Epstein is nearing a deal that would make him the next general manager of the Chicago Cubs.

According to the Associated Press, Epstein, GM of the Red Sox since 2003, could accept a similar position in the Windy City within the next 48 hours.  The Cubs are apparently trying to lure Epstein in by offering the 37-year-old more control than he has in Boston.

Building the Cubs into a championship-caliber team appears a daunting task at the moment.  Even though they’ve shown the proclivity to carry a large payroll, Chicago is riddled with bad contracts.  Veterans such as Alfonso Soriano are locked into multi-million dollar deals for the next several seasons.  And then you have the enigma that’s been Carlos Zambrano.

Still, if Epstein were up to the challenge, he would be considered one of, if not the greatest, general managers of all-time.  People use the phrase “statues would be built” and they’re probably not far off.  Under Epstein’s watch, the Red Sox won a pair of World Series titles, their first since 1918.  If he were to deliver a championship to the Cubs, it would be Chicago’s first in over a century.

If Epstein were to bolt Beantown for the Cubs, Chicago would have to send some sort of compensation to the Red Sox in return, a la the Ozzie Guillen situation.  In this case, Boston is said to want real pieces and not just four-A guys or middling prospects.

This could be something that complicates negotiations, but at this point, it’s looking like the Boston Red Sox will be heading into the 2012 season with a new manager and GM.  Epstein to the Cubs would be a very interesting development, as he would try and do what so many general managers have unsuccessfully attempted, bring a championship back to Wrigley.

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