Theo Epstein reportedly is on the verge of becoming the new GM of the Chicago Cubs. The Boston Herald says Red Sox ownership doesn’t want Epstein to leave, and that they’re concerned about receiving compensation if he does.
If Epstein leaves the Red Sox for the Cubs, he may want to bring some of his Boston staff. You might think he would bring manager Terry Francona — who is available after leaving the Red Sox following the team’s September collapse — but that is unlikely to happen. SI baseball reporter Jon Heyman says if Epstein goes to Chicago, he won’t hire Terry Francona.
Mike Quade is currently the Cubs’ manager, so it’s possible that Epstein would be satisfied retaining him. But that’s probably not the root of the report. The definitive nature of Heyman’s report suggests that Epstein found something wrong with Francona. Given David Ortiz’s comments that some Red Sox players probably didn’t care towards the end of the year, and the report that some players drank beer during games, it’s no surprise to hear that Epstein wouldn’t want to hire Francona.
The Red Sox won two World Series with Francona managing the team, but the team’s collapse appears to have seriously damaged his reputation among the Red Sox leaders.
