The daily saga that has become the Theo Epstein compensation negotiations hit more snags on Thursday. By just about all accounts the deal is done and the only thing holding up an official announcement is the medical reports on the minor league players going back to Boston … and the World Series. According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs received permission from the MLB front office to make an announcement on an off day during the World Series. But if the announcement is not made Friday, the next travel day for the Fall Classic is Tuesday … that is if the series goes back to St. Louis for a game six.
Once Epstein is introduced as the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, he is expected to hire both Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod. Hoyer and McLeod were with Epstein in Boston and played pivotal roles in the Red Sox success over the better part of the last decade.
According to a report from Scott Miller of CBS Sports, not only will Theo Epstein eventually ink a five-year contract but Jed Hoyer is also expected to sign a five-year deal with a significant pay increase from his current salary as incentive to move.
The parameters of a deal are reportedly in place that will affect three organizations, all that is left is for the Cubs and Red Sox to make the first step official …
- As of Thursday night, the Cubs had not requested permission from the Padres to talk with Jed Hoyer. Several reports indicated the Cubs would not request permission until Epstein is in office.
- Reports out of San Diego indicated the Padres would receive compensation (likely lower level minor leaguers) for Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod. Bruce Levine reported on Thursday afternoon that the Padres were not asking the Cubs for compensation for Jed Hoyer. According to both Levine and the Sun-Times, Jeff Moorad was looking for a way to promote Josh Byrnes to GM of the Padres.
- According to the Sun-Times, the Red Sox backed off their demands for Trey McNutt and according to sources, McNutt is off the table.
- Bruce Levine reported Thursday afternoon that Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt and Matt Szczur are not in the compensation discussions with the Sox. Levine reported players like Josh Vitters, Jay Jackson or Chris Carpenter could be in the discussions.
- According to a report from ESPN Chicago, the compensation package for Epstein will include minor league players but will not include cash.
- During an interview on Sirius/XM Radio on Thursday night, Bud Selig said he might get involved in the discussion between the Red Sox and the Cubs if the talks drag out much longer.
- According to ESPN Chicago, at one point Boston proposed that the Cubs take pitcher John Lackey as part of the compensation for letting Epstein out of the final year of his contract.
- Epstein could be bringing a key advisor from Boston with him to the Cubs’ front office, according to a report from ESPN Chicago. Dave Finley is currently one of Epstein’s special assistants.
- Mike Quade is waiting to see the direction the Cubs will go under Theo Epstein.
Stay Tuned … it could be an interesting Friday or more of the same.
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