Theo Epstein reportedly is about to accept a deal to be the new General Manager for the Chicago Cubs. Theo will have more control with the Cubs than he presently has with the Red Sox. The deal is for five years and over fifteen million dollars. The Red Sox will more than likely be looking for compensation to void Theo’s last year of his contract. The Sox will be looking for prospect, compensation or a combination of the two. This is the right thing at the right time for both parties.
With all the stories of partying, discontent, loss of control and now a manger on prescription drugs, why shouldn’t Theo take the Cubs position? Right now he is in a lose-lose situation with the Sox. If the Sox don’t offer him a contract extension then he will be nothing but a lame duck the last year of his contract. Theo will have his hands full with a team that hasn’t won anything since 1908. The Cubs have more than their share of overpaid, underachievers on their payroll. Not to mention their Ace Pitcher has some serious anger management issues. But, if you were Theo, wouldn’t you jump at this situation? He gets to leave this headache in Boston and start over, with even more control. Yes, his image in Bean town maybe a little tarnished, but if he can someday bring a championship to the “cursed” Cubs then he will go down in history as the greatest General Manager of all time.
Theo’s leaves a legacy behind that consists of two World Championships and the primary reason for “Reversing the Curse.” He was at the helm for the greatest comeback in baseball history as well as the worst collapse. It’s just time for both parties to shake hands and move on.
We should hold no ill will with Theo. He may have overpaid for players that didn’t produce, but that is the gamble you need to take sometime. We complain now about the John Lackey and Carl Crawford signings, but I didn’t hear too much complaining when they first signed. Hindsight is 50-50; he felt he made the right decisions for the best interest of the team. He isn’t the one who quit on their manager this year. If you want to point fingers, point them at Josh Beckett and his motley crew for tanking the month of September.
In a couple short weeks we witnessed the greatest manager in Red Sox history depart and now the greatest General Manager. Change is good and this team needed change in the worst way. This is going to be a very interesting off season. This isn’t the last major change will see before spring training. Let’s just hope this time it will right the ship.
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