It took five months and eight days, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, but the Theo Epstein compensation is finally complete.  This after we learnt that Ben Cherington and the Red Sox sent first base prospect Jair Bogaerts to the Cubs as the player to be named later that finalized the deal.  Sure this settles the compensation aspect but it also reiterates that Theo Epstein is far superior to Ben Cherington in their respective roles.  For those keeping score at home, you can mark another point for Theo, making it a 3-0 advantage over his so called protege.  If Epstein was serious when he talked about grooming Cherington for the GM job then he did a pitiful job. He may sound like Theo but Ben sure doesn’t negotiate like him.
Bogaerts, 19, is said to have raw power potential and being the twin brother of Red Sox highly touted prospect Xander Bogaerts, a change in organizations might do the youngster some good. Â Over the last two years in the Dominican Summer League, Jair hit .227 with four homers. Â Not staggering numbers by any means but consider this kid is only 19. Â To me it feels like the Sox gave up a lot in this kid and for what in return? Â A reliever in Carpenter who is in need of surgery to repair his throwing elbow and Aaron Kurcz, a relief pitcher still trying to get out of single A ball.
So this chapter in Cherington’s young career as GM is finally closed and one day I’m sure he’ll look back on it and figure out that he was fleeced by his former mentor, not once, not twice, but three times if you can’t the Dale Sveum fiasco.  And that pill should be hard to swallow for Ben, just as the lack of compensation has been for Red Sox fans.
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