Epstein to Cubs to be Made Official Friday

**cigaretteman** · 10-20-2011, 11:22 AM

Theo Epstein is expected to be announced as the Cubs ' president of baseball operations on Friday at Wrigley Field , a source said.

The protracted negotiations over compensation are nearing a conclusion, and the Cubs and Red Sox are expected to get the OK from Commissioner Bud Selig to make an announcement Friday, the first of two off days in the World Series.

The Red Sox officially will announce Ben Cherington as their new GM, replacing Epstein, while the Cubs will introduce Epstein to the media, a source said.

The drawn-out saga concludes a week of talks between the two teams over the value of Epstein in a trade. Boston is expected to receive at least one top-level prospect, perhaps right-hander Trey McNutt, and a low-level prospect.

The Cubs will give Epstein a five-year contract worth an estimated $18.5 million to make all baseball-related decisions. Epstein is expected to bring San Diego Padres general manager Jed Hoyer in as Cubs' GM, though they can not officially talk until Epstein is at the helm of the Cubs. San Diego CEO Jeff Moorad will give the Cubs permission to talk to Hoyer, sources said, after Epstein takes over Friday.

Source: Epstein signing expected to be made official Friday - chicagotribune.com

**RayShimley** · 10-20-2011, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by cigaretteman

Source: Epstein signing expected to be made official Friday - chicagotribune.com

Sounds like a deal both clubs are happy with. I think this trading prospects for GMs business is kind of interesting. How many times has that happened?

**cigaretteman** · 10-20-2011, 01:51 PM

Reports that Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was on the verge of being announced as the new Cubs' baseball boss rankled Red Sox owner John Henry, who told the Boston Globe on Thursday that a compensation deal was "not close."

Henry's ire over what he and incoming GM Ben Cherington called premature media reports could further delay compensation talks between the two clubs, which have dragged on for a week.

The Cubs had no comment on the reports. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts has not commented during the entire process.

A source said the Cubs were prepared for an announcement Friday, but added the deal is "not done" yet.

The latest chapter in the contentious compensation talks began Wednesday night when Chicago sportscaster David Kaplan tweeted a "deal is basically done," adding "word should be leaked" Thursday with a news conference expected Friday. ESPN.com reported on its Twitter account that a "Friday press conf." would be held for Epstein. The Tribune reported Thursday the Cubs were expecting a Friday news conference to announce the signing.

But Henry's insistence that the deal is "not close" means the long wait for Epstein figures to get even longer. Whether the Red Sox will punish the Cubs for the percieved leaking of a "done deal" remains to be seen. The Red Sox don't have the same sense of urgency as the Cubs, and can afford to wait until the end of the World Series to finish the deal.

The Cubs and Red Sox are expected to get the OK from Commissioner Bud Selig to make an announcement on an off day if they come to an agreement. Once it's a done deal, the Red Sox officially will announce Cherington as their new GM, replacing Epstein, while the Cubs will introduce Epstein to the media, a source said.

Epstein reports rankle Red Sox owner - chicagotribune.com

**JP4CY** · 10-20-2011, 01:53 PM

Sounds like the Padres are just rolling over for the Cubs if they want Hoyer?

**Hawkeye11en1** · 10-20-2011, 02:04 PM

So who decides on the trade when the person supposed to do the trading is being traded?

**Bobber** · 10-23-2011, 11:15 PM

Ricketts really appears to have hit the ball out of the park with this hire.

However, lot of work to do in Chicago.....

Wonder if Ryan Sandberg will get a serious look as the new coach. Some people seem to think so.

This will be interesting to watch.