Epstein Negotiations

by thehat34 on Oct 14, 2011 11:17 AM CDT

Breaking news: Epstein negotiating with himself.

Many people have wondered what has been taking so long to get the compensation figured out for the Epstein trade. It's been confirmed through various sources that the "up in the air" status of Epstein's job with both the Cubs and the Red Sox has resulted in Epstein negotiating on behalf of both sides.

When reached for comment Red Sox President Larry Lucchino said, "As of right now Theo is still our GM and as our GM he is responsible for negotiating all trades and I don't see how this is any different. Theo is leading the charge for the compensation we'll be receiving from the Cubs for him. Ben Cherrington is working alongside him as Theo continues to groom him to fill the GM position once the trade is completed."

The Cubs own Tom Ricketts broke from his usually private stance on negotiations to confirm Theo was negotiating on behalf of the Cubs. "Theo is going to be taking over all baseball decisions and will be responsible for the wellfare of our farm system. So, I don't want to make any decisions in the meantime that would jeopardize the state of the system he is inherriting. There is no one I feel who is more capable to negotiate on behalf of the Cubs then Theo Epstein and I know he will do a great job in his first trade as our new GM."

Although initially hesitant to make a statement about ongoing trade discussions Epstein, the first man in sports history to be the GM for two different teams in the same sport at the same time, made a brief statement. "This is perhaps the most difficult trade that I've had to negotiate. While I definitely want to get the heck out of Boston, I still feel I must always do my job to the best of my ability and as their GM I feel it is my duty to get the best compensation possible. However, as the GM for the Cubs I do not want to gut the system that I will be taking over shortly and have never had to decide what the proper compensation is for a GM. I have had a hard time coming to an agreement with exactly how valuable I am. I hope to be able to wrap up the negotiations shortly in a mutually beneficial agreement with myself."

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

How long before...

… both sidebar posting lists are completely filled with Theo posts?

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by Al Yellon on Oct 14, 2011 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

If someone would pledge a dollar...

…for every time “Theo” or “Epstein” appears on this site, we could pay off Soriano’s contract by the end of the day.

Baseball is pitching, offensive production, baserunning and defense.

by daver on Oct 14, 2011 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a great idea!

We could possibly also pay the first year of Theo’s salary. GitItDoneAl

I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.

by cub in louies nest on Oct 14, 2011 8:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

You're on a first-name basis already?

Epstein is deep gorilla…

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Oct 14, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey, he's a MOT.

If you don’t know what that means, look it up.

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by Al Yellon on Oct 14, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

You're a mensch, Al.

Unless you’re Irish. (at least that’s what I get from Urban Dictionary)

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Oct 14, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

"Mensch".

Yes, that’s correct.

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by Al Yellon on Oct 14, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

MOT..

Man on Tequila

Chronologically inept since 2060
Q: Why did Chuck Norris cross the road?
A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.

by Cubbie-Tim on Oct 14, 2011 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions

We need three more consecutive fanshots to have all recent fanshots be Theo-related.

That pesky Carmen Fanzone! Cmon people, three more Theo articles, we can do it!

by Dcr18 on Oct 14, 2011 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

It's better than the alternative.

Hendry sucks. Fire Quade. Josh Hamilton could have been a Cub. Etc…

At least this is something fun and positive to focus on.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Oct 14, 2011 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

agreed.

This is actually a fun, positive topic. Hopefully we get some big news regarding the compensation soon.

by Dcr18 on Oct 14, 2011 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

That would certainly make my weekend less stressful.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Oct 14, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, it would probably make Tom Ricketts' weekend less stresssful, too.

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by Al Yellon on Oct 14, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

True he has more to lose.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Oct 14, 2011 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh! I get it!

you were making a funny!

I hope you didn’t spend too much of your life on this.

by The E-Man on Oct 14, 2011 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

I thought it was as funny as a typical Onion article

...formerly known as zambranofan

by cubzfan on Oct 14, 2011 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

This is bizarre unchartered territory. I hope Cub Theo prevails over evil-twin Red Sox Theo.

by the nth on Oct 14, 2011 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe Theo...

should grow a goatee every couple days to negotiate as Red Sox Theo then shave it off and counter offer as Cubs Theo, and then grow it back, then shave, etc, etc.

Depending on how fast his facial hair grows that would only take 3 or 4 weeks to get settled.

by CubFan81 on Oct 15, 2011 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I think this is going on at the negotiating table

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwF7n8WyOoU

by JOVE23 on Oct 14, 2011 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

Ricketts wearing clown shoes?

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Oct 14, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions

let's

hope the cubs dont drop the ball on this one.according to reports the red sox are being real ballbusters.

by NOMAR on Oct 15, 2011 6:55 AM CDT reply actions

i wonder

who will shoulder the blame in all this if we dont get theo??

by NOMAR on Oct 15, 2011 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

In the parallel universe

where that happens, Theo would go back to Boston with the same obvious excitement of Lovie saying (Rex/Kyle/whoever) “is our quarterback”.

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Oct 15, 2011 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

And hires Quade

I'm a Cubs fan. The Jaded Bitterness comes as a Standard Feature.

by timh815 on Oct 15, 2011 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That would be evil, wouldn’t it.

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by Al Yellon on Oct 15, 2011 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions

He's under contract.

We demand compensation!

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Oct 15, 2011 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

These days there always will be at least a few leaks on a sports story of this magnitude,

but wouldn’t it have been great to get the details of the Epstein hire worked out before it was announced?

Of course, giving fans a few days to enjoy the prospect of Theo coming to Chicago will help numb the pain if and when Jackson and McNutt do end up in Boston. If that happens, there will be plenty of justifiable outrage from hardcore fans on Cubs blogs, but my guess is that the average fan won’t know or care about either prospect.

"Elder White! Look at the talent on those Cubs!" Harry Caray, KMOX Radio, 4/22/62

"And you have to wonder – What's the matter with Broglio?" Harry, KMOX, 5/24/64

by ernaga on Oct 15, 2011 8:06 PM CDT reply actions

Doubt it will cost that much

but even if it did, it is still a good deal for the Cubs. Epstein has greater potential to turn this sorry franchise around than any prospect in the farm system.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 16, 2011 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Now that we've had a few days to think it over, it does seem worth it, even if we lose both prospects...

…but if an announcement of this swap had been made without the buildup, I’m sure my initial reaction would have been negative.

I realize the issue of “tampering” governs many in-season negotiations, but we have to assume Ricketts has been quietly GM-shopping for at least a year. Perhaps a deal for Epstein was worked out weeks ago, which may be one reason Jackson wasn’t called up in September. After all, he could have had a month like LaHair, which certainly would have complicated things.

"Elder White! Look at the talent on those Cubs!" Harry Caray, KMOX Radio, 4/22/62

"And you have to wonder – What's the matter with Broglio?" Harry, KMOX, 5/24/64

by ernaga on Oct 16, 2011 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Perhaps a deal for Epstein was worked out weeks ago, which may be one reason Jackson wasn’t called up in September.

No. Not possible; Epstein was still employed by the Red Sox “weeks ago”.

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by Al Yellon on Oct 16, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Well, he is technically still employed by the Red Sox now, right?

That said, I agree that “weeks ago” there was no deal in place. Back when the decision was made to not call up Jackson, it was still very very likely that the Red Sox would make the postseason.

by SouthernCub on Oct 16, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

never know

Ozzie Guillen was still employed by the White Sox when he was traded. We do not know the exact date that the trade talks grew legs, we can only speculate

by Cubbie-Tim on Oct 16, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions