I don’t apologize for the relative delay in today’s Theo update – I am not one to post things just to post things, and if there wasn’t anything to say, I wasn’t going to say anything. Of course, after a certain amount of time – and after yesterday’s hoopla about what would be happening today – an update is necessary, even if there isn’t much to say. And, I guess there’s at least a little to say.
- Well, I violated my own, newly-established rule yesterday. No, not as a writer, but as a fan. The rule? Don’t believe anything about anything with respect to a Theo Epstein deal until the press conference is announced by the Cubs. But when both Dave Kaplan and Bruce Levine – the only two locals who’ve had a decent beat on this thing – say the deal is basically done and a press conference is happening, it’s hard to obey that rule. As things stand, a press conference is looking unlikely today, and the next open day is Tuesday.
- So, what happened? Obviously Levine and Kaplan were getting their info from the same source, and that source was either overly optimistic, or openly full of shit. Other local media members are speculating that the source is none other than Cubs’ President Crane Kenney (which would certainly explain why Kaplan and Levine are typically among the first to defend Kenney, while the rest of the media abhors him for reasons that remain obscured to peons like us).
- Kaplan provided an update just a few minutes ago, saying the “parameters” of a deal remain in place, and things are still “on track,” but because Red Sox brass are still taking things personally, they won’t finalize the deal until they’re good and ready. Though Kaplan doesn’t say it, that sounds to me like they are still holding out hope for a little more scratch. About the scratch – the compensation – Kaplan doesn’t know anything more today than he did yesterday. A deal could be finalized at any time.
- Speaking of the other Chicago media, this issue has raised a bit of a divide between Paul Sullivan and Gordon Wittenmyer, who blame yesterday’s “leak” by Kaplan and Levine for the delay in the deal. Wittenmyer goes so far as drop this bomb: ”Amid breathless tweeting and over-reaching blog posts by some Chicago media, the Cubs finished Thursday a lot like they started it: waiting for a compensation deal that has been inevitable for more than a week to get done in time to announce Theo Epstein’s hiring as the team’s baseball boss Friday.” Careful boys, this cat’s got nails.
- The Boston media, on the other hand, is doing a great job of living into its own stereotypes. Nick Cafardo is shilling for Boston brass (“A source close to Epstein said he is prepared for whatever the outcome is. If the sides can’t agree on compensation, he would return to Boston’s front office. From the Cubs’ perspective, it would be difficult to sell anyone other than Epstein as their savior after he has been built up so much.”), and Pete Abraham is taking shots at Epstein on the way out (“You have to hand it to Theo Epstein. He has spent approximately $450 million over the last three seasons without a playoff win to show for it and got the Cubs to give him a five-year deal with $18.5 million. That’s impressive.”).
- As I noted last night, Bud Selig has admitted he may have to get involved to force a settlement. I remain of the belief that Selig would be on the Cubs’ side (in this instance). If big market teams can start hoarding young, up-and-coming front office talent, and then demanding huge returns when other (small market, for example) teams come calling with a promotion offer, the league loses parity. Bud don’t like that.
- As for the San Diego piece of this business, it still looks good for Jed Hoyer to join the Cubs as GM eventually, but it’s pretty clear the Epstein compensation fight is holding things up. No one has reported why – technically, Tom Ricketts could just interview and hire Hoyer – but my guess is, for reasons not perfectly clear, “interviewing” and “hiring” Hoyer is Epstein’s job. Hoyer is sticking to “no comment,” and Josh Byrnes – the man who would replace him in the GM seat in San Diego – says, “hopefully we’ll know soon.” So, we wait.
- I also noted last night that at least one report said San Diego would be receiving compensation for the Cubs’ purloining Hoyer and assistant GM Jason McLeod. That report is picking up steam, and the prevailing opinion is that (a) the Padres will get a couple of low-level minor leaguers (which, by the way, as a tip to the mainstream media: “low-level” doesn’t mean that the kids aren’t excellent prospects – some of the Cubs’ best prospects are currently at High A or lower), and (b) there won’t be a fight about it. Still – I’m gun shy, even if San Diego does-not-equal Boston.
Someone was just suggesting that the Cubs may have given into trading a guy like McNutt, Vitters or Jackson but of course…..who knows. Like you, the poster on the other site focused on the word “optimism” on the part of the Red Sox.
I sure hope not, but our word doesnt mean squat!
Long ago I argued why Boston (and now San Diego) should be paying us for taking over contracts of GMs that were going to be let go. If Ricketts had adopted this strategy from day one, we would have had this over a long time ago. Instead, he started off from weakness wanting to compromise before hearing the other sides offer, like our President with Congress over the debt ceiling and other issues. No matter how this ends, Cubs lose.
How are they paying us?????
Have you been paying attention to these stories at all?
The reason Theo isnt a Cub yet is because the red sox dont think were paying them enough in return.
please read again to see you missed the point…they should be paying us, not the other way around cause we are saving them several million dollars by paying bonus and taking over last year of contract..
I understand your point but Ricketts wanted Theo from the Red sox, the red sox werent begging teams to take him off their hands same goes for Hoyer and the padres.
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Hawr. JStraw made a funny.
He do that.
Peter Gammons just did an interview with MLBNetwork and said the hold up between Cubs and Red sox isnt what players the red sox will get for compensation bet there is a disagreement between the owners!
Hmm wonder what they could be disagreeing about other than compensation??
?
Is he implying that the owners are just pissed at each other?
I’m sure Ricketts is pissed at how childish Henry is being and might now be unwilling to budge until Bud steps in…. Hopefully he does so tomorrow or announce that all communication must stop till after the WS, I’m sure Bud is royally pissed that he granted permission for an announcement today but nothing happened. You don’t mess with the Dark Lord of the MLB.
Bud Selig: “Goooood Gooood, I can feel your angerrrrrr….”
Nice
Did he say which owners? I could see Boston having a problem because Henry is part of an ownership group. I don’t see the Ricketts family disagreeing with each other…..and who knows how Ricketts and Henry feel about each other now…..Someone suggested on another site that there should be a Ricketts vs Henry cage match.
He wasnt very specific but im pretty sure he meant Ricketts Vs. Henry, thats why in my first post I said “Hmm wonder what they could be disagreeing about other than compensation??”
Im assuming its Henrys fault because Gammons wouldnt be specific, and we all know Gammons is a Boston Homer!
Does anyone think there is a possibility that Theo is negotiating an extension in Boston and that is the reason for the holdup?
No… Damn I hope not, now I have to drink angrily.
Same. Thanks for putting that thought in our heads, Diesel!
Diesel may have a point. What has the past shown us about Theo? Yet, I hope like MG that he’s not.
I would say no to Theo working on an extension in Boston. I received an email today from the Boston front office. “we want to turn the page as well!” The turn the page comment seems to be one of something different, so if they are turning the page then Theo is not coming back.
Thanks. You put my mind at ease there.
If that is the case than the Red Sox front office is the greatest front office in the history of front offices
Im pretty sure this question was brought up when these rumors first started spreading and I think this is to far along for that, and I dont think Bud Selig would be to happy about that because it has taken so much attention away from the world series.
If Henry is vetoing everything, they probably are. They’re no doubt wondering what good does it do to even bring something up to him.
Wonder why they drink in the dugout because the owner is so mean. they need to relax with him looking over his shoulder
the rest of baseball laughing at Ricketts and this disrespect will carry over into dealings with Cubs going forward. Didnt have to be this way. Could have kept Hendry one more year and go after Theo next year if still so fixated on him.
WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sahadev Sharma
Theo to Cubs are president of baseball operations is official. Presser on Tuesday
Barry Rozner
Cubs/Sox statement: The clubs have reached an agreement regarding a process by which appropriate compensation will be determined.
Alright I think it is time for the full on Squeal
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO_ WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
AND THERE WAS MUCH REJOICING!!!!
There is no “appropriate compensation” in this instance. It would be a non-lateral move for Epstein. If he brings other Red Sox employees with him, compensation might be warranted.
I think that is exactly what Bud made Henry realize, should be a couple of fringe/high hope type prospects.
So Toosh has returned?
TIME FOR HAPPY DRINKING
Come on Brett hurry up with your pre made squeal
premature emancipation going on here
oh shove off already
MLBTR reports that compensation has been agreed upon but there will be no further comment until Tuesday.
I don’t care if they wait until Christmas…gonna go poor me a stiff CC n water
I just opened my celebratory Founder Brewing Canadian Breakfast Stout it been waiting for 10 days now to open.
I have to believe The Dark Lord Emperor Bud made a call and the Henry listened.
I weep for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure if CBS, it’s amazing! 10.2 ABV- happiness come quick
Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. It’s a California brew, but it’s a must-drink.
I’ll look for it, are you on Untappd.com
Not yet. I’ll be checking it out now, though.
i cant believe i didnt hear it from brett first. Very disappointed
not a good sign with ESPN scoops you…
ESPN, not local but national, is reporting that Epstein deal is done.
Captin and Coke here I come
good thing my daughter finally fell asleep
Same here, my daughter went down after quite the battle (I like it think it was b/c she was upset by all the Theo drama) but just in time for Dad to celebrate. VICTORY TASTE SO GOOD
Hmmm. My daughter did more than her usual bedtime squawking too.
She’ll be totally stoked to hear the news tomorrow though … well, as stoked as a two-year-old can be.
It’s a proud Daddy moment when you see you kids suffer and then celebrate over the Cubs
Theo resigns in Boston to make it official with news conference coming Tuesday…woo hoo!!
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20111021&content_id=25745026&vkey=pr_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos
Theo Esptein announces that his first official act will be to hire a Director/Musical Compositions to create a good marching band style fight song for the Cubs
Will Neil Diamond be brought over to replace the Village People’s YMCA? I say yes.
Official that Epstien is the Director of Baseball Operations…how long before his first move player wise….Sunday
coaching moves-Good bye Quade Saturday morning
Now lets go ahead and fire Quade
LOL, now that it’s official we want some house cleaning asap. Hurry Theo and hand out the pink slips. Opening the lockers in the movie Major League…solid. Too many pink post it notes for Wrigley!
Word.
Well, maybe rough him up a little first and then fire him.
terrific news….ordered WS tickets for 2012….oops…premature emancipation is contagious……and why not surprised to let Boston decide compensation?…consistent with way this has been handled from day one.
Can we please get an ignore user feature on here?
I was thinking the same thing
Die hard = horribly depressed buzz kill… How bad was your divorce that you can’t appreciate anything in life now….?
SQUEEZING
SSQQEEAALL** Damn auto correct on phone. Finalllllly done though… Gonna be an ugly night… A day’s worth of sorrow drinking capped by a night of celebration drinking
Shit… Squeal***
You know you can edit those post? But that was fun to read.
I thought you were doing celebratory man kegels.
Can’t wait to finally move forward!
anyone have extra tickets for games 6&7 at wrigley – Rangers Cubs is a great matchup and I want to be there to see it all…#EPSTEINisAWESOME
This is what I expect from some people, not the smart fans, but the dumb ones. If we suck next year still they will think this deal was pointless. It will take time to be a true contender and build properly for that.
Screw them, they can go follow the Red Sox
And Brett is asleep
lol its possible
Where is Brett? Bad night to let your wife make you leave phone at home.
Oh happy day !! when Theo walked.