This week "marks the purportedly significant 40-game one-quarter mark" of the MLB season, and the two teams with the highest-scoring offenses in the game -- the Cubs and Red Sox -- are "built on players mostly acquired" by regimes under Theo Epstein, according to Tim Healey of SPORTS ON EARTH. Eleven of the Cubs' 12 position players on the 25-man roster "entered the organization under Epstein's watch" after he joined the club in '11 as President of Baseball Operations. Meanwhile, for the Red Sox -- where Epstein worked as GM from '02-11 -- "seven of 13 of the team's hitters are Epstein guys" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 5/19). In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy noted this year's Red Sox team "was largely built" by Epstein, as RF Mookie Betts, C Christian Vazquez and OF Jackie Bradley Jr. were all drafted by his baseball operations department. Epstein also "brought on board" international free agent SS Xander Bogaerts and "non-prospect" 3B Travis Shaw. Meanwhile, he was the "baseball godfather" of drafting 2B Dustin Pedroia and signing DH David Ortiz in '02 after he was released by the Twins. That marks seven of Red Sox' "nine everyday players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/19). Also in Boston, Eric Wilbur wrote Epstein is "in line for the same sort of hindsight praise" Orioles Exec VP/Baseball Operations Dan Duquette received in Boston after the '04 Red Sox won the World Series "with a roster of that former GM's remnants." Epstein is "already the front-runner to be named" MLB Exec of the Year for his work with the Cubs. However, considering that there is "every possibility that the two teams he helped build could eventually meet in the World Series, Epstein might have this year's honor under wraps" (BOSTON.com, 5/17).
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? In Chicago, Mike Imrem noted this is the last season on Epstein’s current contract and a new deal “hasn’t been announced.” Much of the “palm-sweating, head scratching speculation centers on why the Cubs aren’t giving Epstein what he wants.” It could be because they "can’t give him what he needs.” If the Cubs win the World Series this year, Epstein will “have overcome the Curse of the Bambino in Fenway Park and the Curse of the Billy Goa in Wrigley Field.” Not much “would be left for Epstein to do here except more of the same.” It is “doubtful that Epstein would leave for a challenge to build another team because no other challenge would be as challenging as the challenges he already conquered.” He might have to "ponder whether he wants to stay in baseball forever” (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 5/19).
