The Cubs and Red Sox are now discussing compensation for GM Theo Epstein. Here are the latest Cubs-related notes as we await an official announcement about the leadership change…
- There’s a “good chance” that Epstein hires Padres executive Josh Byrnes to work with him in Chicago, according to Tom Krasovic of Inside the Padres (on Twitter). Byrnes, the D’Backs’ former GM, worked with Epstein in Boston.
- Carlos Pena told the Chicago Sun-Times that he's excited to see what the Cubs can do under Epstein. Pena, a free agent after the season, hinted that Epstein's presence makes Chicago an even more desirable place to play.
- Bradley Woodrum of CubsStats.com loves the Epstein hire for the Cubs, but wouldn't trade prospect Brett Jackson for the rights to the new GM.
- Check out Tim Dierkes' preview of the Cubs' offseason.
WhenMattStairsIsKing
Please, please finalize this soon. This is one press conference I’ll be thrilled to watch.
Rick Garcia
Since Epstein is the new GM does he get to decided who the Red Sox get as compensation?
notsureifsrs
that’s how it worked when beane was going to go to the red sox, but reportedly that is not how it’s working here. ownership on both sides seems to be doing the negotiating, albeit by proxy
it had to have come up with theo and ricketts when they were discussing the whole thing, though. there’s no way he doesn’t have at least some influence here
xcal1br
Let the era of respectability begin. . .
notsureifsrs
seriously. a lot gets lost in the fray with all the yapping about the details, but if you were told last winter that by next offseason hendry would be gone and theo epstein would be your GM, how happy would you be?
i’ll be rooting for the cubs turnaround
User 4245925809
Me too and somewhere.. Harry Carey is gonna be in the bleachers.. Drunk off his rocker hollering this summer as well for his old team, knowing the Cubbie fans now have chance at something down the road.
101andcounting
“Hendry would be gone and Theo Epstein would be your GM…”
I have the weirdest boner right now.
start_wearing_purple
And the award for creepiest poster on mlbtraderumors goes to…
DebaserTN
Agreed…though it may be wise to temper the excitement a bit. Let’s not forget all the other saviors who have preceded Theo.
Jwills
Just call it a day give Jackson and a DSL prospect and move on. A prospect probably has a under 10% chance of making it in the show but Epstein will turn the Cubs around to a respectable franchise in a few months.
cubs223425
When you’re talking at the start, maybe. However, we’re talking a guy who played really well in AAA and is the top prospect on the team, and possibly MLB-ready today.
With Jackson, his odds of making the MLB roster at some point are 99%, and probably 90% for 2012.
NorthSideIrish
Not sure either side really has leverage here. Cubs fans will riot if this falls through over the compensation. But the Red Sox probably aren’t real eager to welcome Theo back as a lame duck GM and have to tell Cherington “Just kidding about the promotion”.
I’d like to see the Cubs hold on to B. Jackson, Carpenter, Szczur, and McNutt (just in case). Maybe send Boston some combination of Jay Jackson, Cleavenger/Castillo, and Lake. But the sad truth is, the Cubs don’t have many prospects who would help the Red Sox in the next few years.
nycub
I’m glad you’re excited, Carlos. You’re not coming back.
101andcounting
I don’t necessarily think bringing Pena back is a bad idea. He’s patient, high-OBP, affordable, and only requires a one-year contract. I’ll take him over Prince or Pujols and their $200MM albatrosses any day.
nycub
Well, we are looking to rebuild this club. Spending big money on someone like Pujols or Fielder will build a Cubs team of the future. Spending 8-10M on Pena for a year is wasted as, it is likely, the Cubs aren’t going to make any sort of playoff run in 2012. If we aren’t going to pick up a big free agent contract in Pujols or Fielder, it is wiser to tap LaHair at 1B for a ridiculously low price.
start_wearing_purple
Well Theo will have money to play with right away so I suspect that he’ll go all in on Fielder but I wouldn’t expect much after that in this year. Cubs are still a few years away from being a true threat even if they add Fielder.
slider32
Theo will get Fielder and trade for a top pitcher like Shields, they could offer Tampa Castro and sign Reyes.
notsureifsrs
except that with a good performance he can bring back cheap young talent talent in a trade or a draft pick. cheap young talent is what a rebuilding club needs
i understand the frustration with having money and not spending it since the price of your tickets surely won’t go down, but locking up a superstar just because you have money to burn will burn your team in the long run
Dennis
Woodrum is putting one minor leaguer ahead of a top GM? Crazy.
User 4245925809
Nice pickup if he can get his buddy Byrnes back. Also might mean that Henry and Luccino are putting the brakes on him getting his hands on some people he wants in Boston?
Stonehands
The only thing he’ll get from Boston is maybe some of the medical staff, and other low profile guys, he won’t bring scouts or anything like that, unless something miraculous happens, the Red Sox get B-Jax or the Cubs take Lackey and pay most of his contract
rockfordone
Theo – will start to build the Cubs on the mound. That is where the game is played. Carlos will be like Tony Jr. (above) gone.
Mickey Koke
“There’s a “good chance” that Epstein hires Padres executive Josh Byrnes to work with him in Chicago, according to Tom Krasovic”
Interesting because of earlier comments made from CEO Jeff Moorad, saying he will not permit contracted personnel to talk to other teams regarding lateral moves.
Bobby P
I really hope we don’t resign Pena. Great guy, decent OBP guy. But he’s a Boras client and it wouldn’t be prudent if you were going to rebuild to sign this guy.
bbq1959
Steve in Ma since when in the hell do you own the Red Sox. If you do not own them you have no reason to act like you work in the front office.
bbq1959
Steve in Ma when did you start working in the front office of the Sox. Since when do you decide what the hell the Sox want.