I Guess I Have To Mention Theo Officially Gone

Under Epstein's guidance, Boston went 839-619 (.575) in the regular season and 34-23 in the playoffs. Ben Cherington is the new guy and I'm sure he will do fine as he's probably the same thing as Theo except without the Brookline roots.

Again we have no idea what we are going to get because Bud Selig is a scumbag, but don't expect anything awesome.

I like what the Cubs have done though with their upper management by making Theo the Head of Baseball Operations and Padres GM Jed Hoyer their GM. I think they will definitely change the way the Cubs approach the offseason.

The Red Sox are rumored to bring John Farrell back, which I don't know why Toronto would do that, but that's whats rumored.

Latest On Theo Epstein Talks (UPDATED)

Last night a Chicago based source (CSN Chicago) said there has been significant progress made on the Theo to Cubs talks. There are no reports on exactly what that means, but it seems as if there could be a deal announced before the end of the World Series (most likely during an off day).

As DP pointed out before the Red Sox are going hard after a pitching prospect named McNutt. He just got lit up his last night out, and you have to wonder if maybe the Cubs caved due to his latest struggle. We can't be sure about that, but it is interesting.

I just want this done, so the Red Sox can start to move on. Boston is not going to be able to move on at all from all this beer and chicken crap until they have something else to report. Trading Theo is step 1, hiring a new manager is step 2, trading Lackey is step 3 (more on that later), and reworking the rest of the roster is step 4. All of that hinges on the Red Sox being able to move on from Theo, and today it sounds like we are very close to doing that.

***UPDATE***

"The Red Sox and Cubs are "finalizing" the deal, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. They're expected to announce the deal tomorrow. It which would not include Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt, Matt Szczur or cash. MLB has told the Cubs they can have a news conference tomorrow, a World Series travel day, according to Levine (MLBTRADERUMORS)."

I wonder what the hell the Sox are going to get out of this deal then. Guess we will kind out tomorrow.

Lackey Trade Rumors

Even though the Sox have a lot more to deal with first before moving on to trade John Lackey, it hasn't stopped the rumors. I think we can all agree Lackey CAN'T come back next year. So, with that in mind, what can be done?

We know now that there is 0 chance that he will just be sent with Epstein, but there are rumors the Cubs could trade a bad contract for Lackey. That means either Zambrano, who would seem like a terrible idea with the clubhouse already having problem, or Alfonso Soriano. Even if Zambrano is a terrible idea, I'd probably do it. I wouldn't be happy, but I'd do it. Soriano on the other hand I would be more then happy to take. Sure, he strikes out a ton, but he did have 26 HRs and 88 RBIs, and could add some power to the end of the lineup. He's not good, but we are talking about Lackey, so it's addition by subtraction.

Other guys mentioned are Vernon Wells, Chone Figgins, and Alex Rios. Wells is interesting, because Lackey had a lot of success with the Angels. Wells is coming off a terrible year in which he hit .218 with 25 HRs and 66 RBI, but I'm not sold that he is completely washed up. Put him at Fenway and I wouldn't be surprised to see him bounce back a bit. Remember he is only a year removed from hitting .273 with 31 HRs and 88 RBIs. Of all the trades I would like that one the best.

Figgins is the fucking worst. He is getting older (33), batted .188 last year and only had 11 SBs. It's addition by subtraction, but I hate this guy. Plus, Chone... really?

The last one is Rios. He has basically been a disappointment his whole career, but was decent just a year ago. I would do the deal, but I think there is 0 chance the White Sox would do it. They have a ton of pitching, and the last thing they need is Lackey, because that park is like a HR derby every game.

Wait A Minute Theo.......

Theo may not be gone just yet as Sox and Cubs hit snag in negotiations. Apparently day 1 of talking to the Cubs for compensation didn't go well. I love what the Sox are doing here, I hope if they don't get everything that they want, they tell Theo fuck you, you aren't going anywhere and staying with the Sox. It doesn't really make a lick of difference figuring the guy who is replacing him Ben Cherington is internal, so it doesn't make a difference if he takes over this year or next.

Anywho since we aren't getting my wet dream Starlin Castro, I looked in Baseball America Prospect Handbook who their top prospects were and who we should demand. First is Brett Jackson, he is an OF prospect that could take over our RF problem and is a 20 hr -20 SB threat. K's a lot but whatever.

2nd is Trey McNutt..... I should just end it with the name, because it's gold. Imagine all the street vendors selling "These McNutts" T-Shirts. Amazing. He is a RHP with front end potential, hard thrower and Ks a lot of people.

3rd is Matt Szczur another OF prospect. Could have went to the NFL and didn't, fast guy.

I want all 3 of those guys and will hold out and be a dick unless I get them. There is also talk that Theo wants some people to go with him. Henry should just tell Theo no and make this process as difficult as possible.

Do you think Theo is negotiating his own trade?

Compensation From Cubs For Theo Epstein

According to sources the talks on compensation start today. DP wants Castro, I want Lackey gone, but neither of us are going to get anything close to what we want. What we have heard over and over again is that it will most likely be some minor leaguers and/or cash. Unless it's enough cash to buyout Lackey (which it won't be) then this whole thing blows.

Actually fuck the Red Sox right now. Since they are running everyone out of town, why don't they trade us something we could actually use in this city. Deal us Patrick Kane for Theo, or how about Julius Peppers? Yea, I like that better. Cross sports trading, yea that's what we should focus on.

Captain's Thoughts on Theo

Reports are streaming across the internet that the Cubs have signed Theo Epstein to a 5 year deal worth $15 million. The rumor is that they'll name Epstein President. The Red Sox are likely to get prospects as compensation, as Epstein is still under contract through 2012.

Ummmmm, wow. I don't know who to be angry at right now. Is Theo jumping from a sinking ship, or does he feel like his welcome has run out in Boston? Is this him leaving on his own, or are the owners holding the door open for him?

He's certainly not secure in his job here in Boston. He has only one year remaining on his contract, and his bosses have been talking to the media about how one cannot be the Red Sox' GM forever. Which is never something one enjoys hearing their boss say.

This team is in dire straits. It needs pitching. Badly. It could use a decent outfielder too. A bench would help. And this team needs character. Theo is partly responsible for how badly this team has performed. His big-ticket acquisitions have often disappointed (Drew, Crawford, Matsuzaka, Lugo, Renteria, Crisp, Gagne, Clement). But he has helped revamp and restructure the farm system to make it productive (Pedroia, Ellsbury, Buchholz, Lester, Papelbon, Bard). He's also been good at finding undervalued talent that contributes surprisingly well (Ortiz, Mueller, Millar, Bellhorn, Loretta, Aceves, Cabrera). And not all of his big moves have been busts (Schilling, Foulke, Gonzalez).

So even though he's one of the reasons the Sox are where they are, I think he's the best guy to help the Sox improve. But now he seems to be gone.

And if he is leaving on his own accord, then I hate him. He's like the rich guy (Bruce Ismay) from Titanic who encouraged the Captain to go faster, then after the ship hit the iceberg, cowardly jumped into a lifeboat.

But I get the feeling like the owners haven't done enough to keep Epstein here. We haven't heard that they've offered an extension. They don't seem to mind that he's talking to the Cubs. And we're already seeing stories about how great Ben Cherington is.

Cherington is responsible for developing talent through the farm system, so he's obviously done well for himself. But the solutions to the current Sox mess won't come from Pawtucket. There are overpaid, overfed, overdrunk starters. The bullpen has two reliable arms, maybe three. Theo's successor will be walking into a storm of difficulties that need to be resolved ASAP. Meanwhile the owners might not be too keen on dishing out more money to fix the problems caused by high-priced free agents. Especially after spending $95 million buying players for Liverpool this summer.

Maybe this will all work out in the end. But the way I see it, the Sox have bad pitching, detestable players, and they've lost the first manager and GM to win them World Series since the end of World War I. Right now, it sucks to be a Red Sox fan.

-The Commodore

Theo Could Be Gone Very Shortly (UPDATED - GONE)

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. ESPN

I don't want Theo gone unless Starlin Castro comes back from the Cubs, it's hard to get a great GM and Theo is just that. So if we are to lose Theo we need something that would really improve our team. Castro is 21, is a shortstop, was an all star last year and is only going to get better. With Scutaro getting older, Lowrie injured every day and Jose Inglesis unable to hit, he would be a perfect long term option. I would send Inglesis with him if that's what needed to get it done as well.

Even though we all hate Lackey and I would love to see him go, I think sending Lackey with Theo isn't a good enough deal. I hope Theo is for Castro or we sign him longterm. Like I said a good GM is hard to find.


***UPDATE***

"WEEI's John Dennis reported Wednesday morning that Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has agreed with the Cubs on a five-year deal worth more than $15 million. According to Dennis' sources, the Red Sox granted the Cubs permission to talk with Epstein late last week. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of this week, following negotiations for compensation with the Red Sox, who have Epstein under contract for one more season. The Cubs apparently have not settled on a title for Epstein (WEEI)."

As the report says we don't have word on compensation, but this doesn't shock me at all. I (BMack) had a feeling he was gone the second the owners came on WEEI and said that there is "a time limit" on how long someone can be a GM in Boston. That was a dead giveaway that something was up. I am not the biggest Theo guy, but losing the manager and GM of the teams that got you 2 World Series rings is a hell of a loss. I am jut holding out hope the Red Sox get something out of this, whether it be a player, or the Cubs taking some of these bad contracts.

Theo Seen In Chicago?

"A Chicago Cubs fan is reporting Theo Epstein, who may or may not have permission from the Boston Red Sox to talk to the Cubs about a new job, was in Cubs Nation on Saturday. "It was Theo all right," Noah Pinzur, a lifelong Cubs fan, told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I'm 99.9 percent sure (Masslive.com)."

Not exactly the most reliable thing I have heard, but I don't doubt it. There has been no news about this at all on the Boston side, and that kind of makes me think something is going on. I have said from the beginning I think Theo will end up leaving. I have nothing to really back it up, but it's the way I have felt from the beginning.

The Red Sox really need this to be over. I can't see how they are going to move on to their next manager until they solve this Theo thing. It just seems like whoever the GM is probably should pick the manager. Hopefully we will have more reliable reports at sometime this week.

Quick conspiracy theory... I think the Red Sox aren't saying he is gone, because Selig hates when people make big news during the playoffs.

Cubs Ask To Talk To Theo Epstein

It has been rumored for a long time now, but apparently the Cubs have asked the Red Sox to talk to Theo Epstein. Now comes a very big decision for the Red Sox.

I have written before that I do blame Theo for a lot of the Red Sox problems this year, and even more then that the problems we will be having for the next 3-4 years (Lackey, Crawford, ect), but DP did bring up some good points, and Theo has brought us some winners as well.

So, what's my verdict in whether or not the Red Sox should let him talk to the Cubs? This is going to sound like a cop out, but it depends. It really depends on what the Red Sox get in return.

Let's say for a second that the Cubs get him, and they also take Lackey's salary. Would you do it then? I think I would. They have to get that guy out of the clubhouse, and it seems like the Red Sox have faith that Ben Cherington is going to be the next guy in line for the GM job.

Would the Cubs do that? They might just be desperate enough to do it, and they might also believe that Lackey could bounce back if he went to the NL. If the Red Sox got rid of that salary, along with Drews salary coming off the books that could really make the Red Sox players again this offseason. I know DP doesn't like him, but wouldn't CJ Wilson look a hell of a lot better in this rotation?

The other option is to sign Theo right now to an extension. There is no point of him picking our next manager if he is only going to be the GM for one more year. If they let him talk to the Cubs, he is going to leave. I really don't see him coming back if he goes there for any kind of talk.

This decision needs to be made now, because the Red Sox, either way they decide to play this, have a lot of work to do this offseason.

Crazy Meets Crazy On South Beach?

"Sullivan reminds us that Zambrano is close friends with Guillen, adding there is a "good chance" both could end up on South Beach in 2012 (ESPN)."

I guess if there is any manager that could handle this crazy piece of shit it'd be Guillen, then again it could end up with a knife fight in the clubhouse. Anyways, the Cubs have to look into this, because Zambrano is on the books for $18 million for next season, and they have no intent on bringing him back. Even if they could just get the Marlins to eat a couple million it could be a good idea. There are a lot of reports that the Marlins could be some of the biggest spenders this offseason, because they are moving into the new stadium and want to make a splash.