The Chicago Cubs have been fighting curses for over a century, yet no collection of players has connected to create the winning combination for the lovable losers. After being bought out by the Ricketts family and promoting Mike Quade to head coach, the Cubs have finally gone straight to the source to find the remedy for the disheartening championship drought.
ESPN's Buster Olney and Boston radio station WEEI's John Dennis have both reported that the Boston Red Sox executive vice president and general manager Theo Epstein is close to finalizing a deal with the Cubs. The deal would reportedly be worth between $15-20 million depending on what kind of compensation the Cubs work out from his remaining deal with Boston.
Epstein is best known for breaking the Red Sox 86-year curse by winning the World Series in 2004 and then again in 2007. Other reports have also mentioned talks of Epstein bringing former Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who was swept aside for Mike Quade by fired Cubs GM Jim Hendry last year, in to manage the team.
This could be a great step for the Cubs, and fans should be excited. But all the questions about whether or not he will bring a ring to Chicago seriously need to stop immediately. This is a team that came in fifth in its own division behind the Pittsburgh Pirates at 20 games below .500. Calm your expectations, people.
[viaChicago Tribune and ESPN]
