Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is "under contract for one more season," but a source said that the Cubs "have asked the Red Sox for permission to speak with Epstein, and there were meetings regarding Boston’s response yesterday afternoon" at Fenway Park, according to Dan Shaughnessy of the BOSTON GLOBE. If the Red Sox "grant permission, it would be for a short window, and they would try to pry some players or draft picks from the Cubs." The team could "deny permission, but then they would have an unhappy GM on their hands if they didn’t let him explore a promotion." It "stands to reason Epstein would be interested, because in Chicago he could have the powers" of Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino and GM. Epstein also "could use interest from the Cubs to pry more years, money, and power from the Red Sox" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/5). ESPN CHICAGO's Bruce Levine noted it is "believed Epstein is at the top of the Cubs' want list and has been since chairman Tom Ricketts fired Jim Hendry on July 22." Epstein is "everything Ricketts and his family want for the Cubs, who have implemented a lot of the baseball business plan that has been so successful for Boston." The Cubs "would like nothing more than to hire the accomplished and youthful Epstein." A source close to the Red Sox GM said that Epstein would "love the challenge of bringing a championship to a franchise that hasn't won in 103 seasons." The source, however, added that he "loves his job with the Red Sox and his family, including his wife and 3-year-old child, are entrenched in the Boston area" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 10/4).
TRYING TO PREDICT THE FUTURE: Fox Sports Radio’s Matt Smith said Epstein will not leave the Red Sox “unless he gets the blessing” of Red Sox Owner John Henry. Smith: “Theo has an opportunity to go legend status if he takes the Cubs job and ends their World Series drought after ending the Red Sox World Series drought. He'll go down as the greatest general manager in the history of the game.” Smith added, “Theo‘s one of the best in the game. You don’t let him go." ESPN’s Jim Rome said Epstein has “had better years, but he’s got enough goodwill in the bank." Rome: "Settle down, bring the guy back, lock him in and let him do his thing” (“Jim Rome Is Burning,” ESPN, 10/4). ESPN's Dan Le Batard predicted Epstein would return to the Red Sox because “he loves the area and because that’s a really great job." Le Batard: "Running the Red Sox is pretty cool." However, Le Batard noted he can see why Epstein would "be tempted to leave if he doesn’t get along with his boss,” Lucchino (“Dan Le Batard Is Highly Questionable,” ESPN2, 10/4).
A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME: ESPN BOSTON's Gordon Edes noted Henry, who "has not spoken publicly about the Red Sox collapse or their parting with manager Terry Francona, came out of seclusion Tuesday night -- on Twitter." But Henry "did not address the most pressing question of the night," the future of Epstein. Instead, Henry "limited his baseball-related tweets primarily to the search for a new manager." Henry also "joked about his fall on his yacht last Friday, a short time before the Sox held press conferences after issuing statements that Francona's two-year option would not be exercised" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 10/4).
