David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com heard from sources Saturday that talks between the Cubs and Red Sox involving compensation for GM Theo Epstein had grown “increasingly contentious.”
Less than 24 hours later, things would seem to be moving in the right direction again.
An executive involved in the ongoing negotiations told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that recent discussions have been “business-like” and “civil,” and that the swap is slowly but surely moving forward.
Epstein has already agreed to a five-year, $20 million deal that will make him the new general manager of the Cubs, and Red Sox owner John Henry confirmed news of Theo’s departure during a radio interview Friday. But because the 37-year-old executive still had a year remaining on his contract with Boston, the Cubs have to send some form of compensation -- likely a couple of lower-level prospects -- to the Sawx in return.
Major League Baseball is surely pushing for the two sides to reach a resolution before the start of the World Series on Wednesday. Bud Selig and Co. tend to discourage major announcements during the Fall Classic.
