Not good

Theo Epstein, the general manager of the Boston Red Sox for two championship teams in the last eight seasons, could be on his way to the Chicago Cubs in the next day or two if the Red Sox and Chicago can conclude negotiations, according to two sources.

"It's likely he's going to go but nothing has been finalized,'' a Red Sox official with direct knowledge of the negotiations told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes.

8 months ago steve_z 15 comments 0 recs |

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Yep

this sucks. Although I could see him trying to buy them a championship, which won’t work because they don’t really have a farm system to supplement that type of strategy.

Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Oct 11, 2011 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

Off-topic, but what might it cost to acquire Blake Dewitt from Theo and the Cubs? Watching this guy swing the bat, I really believe he could put up an .775-to-.800 OPS next season. He would be an excellent insurance policy if Pedro struggles next spring.

Of course, the Cubs have holes at 2nd (Barney’s ultimately a utility guy, I think) and 3rd base (Aramis probably leaving), so perhaps this breakout candidate will figure prominently in Chicago next season.

by bolton on Oct 11, 2011 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

I live in chicago and for what its worth the general sentiment here is that Barney is the real deal and part of the Cubs’ long-term nucleus. Also – I doubt given Blake’s lack of past success at the big league level the Cubs would rely on him to fill starting roles at important positions next year.

by jaybell on Oct 12, 2011 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Bolton...

What makes you think Dewitt can put up a .775-.800 OPS in the majors? He barely did it in AAA in the PCL. He’s got a .714 OPS in parts of 4 seasons in the majors…and two of those seasons were at Wrigley. And I see nothing to indicate he’s a great fielder.

by Thunder on Oct 12, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I know Dewitt’s numbers haven’t been inspiring. I simply like his swing and think there’s more oomph than what he has displayed. He’s 26, so he’s at the age where he could take a sudden-leap forward. If he had good numbers, he would be unattainable.

As for Barney, I don’t see Theo agreeing with the general sentiment. As an Oregonian, I cheered for Barney when he led Oregon State to back-to-back CWS titles; however, I don’t think his bat projects as anything more than a utility guy. I think Theo will value OBP more than Hendry.

by bolton on Oct 12, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Given the Buccos bench options

He’d be a really good get. We’re not talking about Hornsby here, but a guy who can ideally fill in admirably at 2 positions with a bit of bat. It beats watching Xavier Paul try to pinch hit.

by NastyNate82 on Oct 13, 2011 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

there's no guarantee that Epstein will succeed in Chicago

right now it would just be a high profile signing. may take a long time for any progress to happen, minor league speaking.

by white angus on Oct 12, 2011 6:51 AM EDT reply actions

THIS

this
this
this.

Theo is not God.

And only God can save the Schlubs.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 12, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

He was a good GM that changed history in that town, but there are things on his record that are mixed (look at his FA signings to know what i’m talking about).

Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.

by Bradley James McEachern on Oct 12, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Or

you can look at his drafting with the Red Sox and be frightened because if he gets a nucleus together like he did in Boston with no Yankees to keep them in check, they could dominate the Central for years.

by NastyNate82 on Oct 13, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

"...if he gets a nucleus together like he did in Boston ..."

Perhaps, but how much of that is Theo, and how much of it is his scouting dept.?

When “ifs” and “buts” are candy and nuts, what a fine Christmas we’ll all have…

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 14, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Thats kind of a kicker, you're right

I think the Cubs ownership (foolishly in my opinion) retained and signed the scouting department BEFORE they went and hired Theo. Would be like hiring NH and retaining all of DL’s scouting staff.
How much of that is Theo? Well…if he hires the scouts and scouting director who put that nucleus together, thats pretty significant, isn’t it? If he hires and trusts those people?

by NastyNate82 on Oct 14, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions