That's definitely how it works in Football. However, is that only for coaches? If a player personnel guy gets a shot at GM, but has a contract, can they walk?

Regardless, that's apparently not how Baseball works.

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Apparently not. Just weird that Boston allows the cubs to talk to him (while under contract) but the cubs can't hire him for a higher position without their consent AND compensation.. just doesn't make sense to me

Yes. At this point he is still under contract with Boston. In exchange for letting epstein out of the final year of his contract, the red Sox want compensation. It's not unreasonable. But the amount of compensation that is reasonable is something apparently in dispute.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Been reading a little more about this situation and it sure seems to be getting nasty. If the Red Sox are willing to let Theo sit out for a year they can hold out for whatever they want. I still think Theo will end up with the Cubs but they will probably have to give up more than they want for that to happen.

http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chic ... feedID=661

Maybe John Henry has caught wind of all the silly talk on WSCR in Chicago about how Theo is worth Castro and actually started to believe it.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

I think Ricketts should just say "fuck it", we will do something else. There is no point giving up all of our best prospects if the goal is to use your minor leagues to build your team. They would not be able to field a team next year.

I'm still convinced that they can counter by allowing Byrnes to be GM and letting Theo have his input via a middle man between him and Byrnes and then he will be there as team president after next year. Theo will tell the Cubs what is too much to give up for himself. He isn't going to let his former bosses rape his new team before he gets there.

This is more than a negotiation. It's as if the Red Sox are patching Theo out. When will they pour gas on his back and burn his club tatt off or are they just going to cut it off?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

I almost want to see the Cubs blow this. I wasn't following sports when Dave McGinnis happened.

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I was listening to the Score the day the Dave McGinnis debacle happened. I had class, but once I heard there was a possibility of it being botched, I skipped class and listened to the radio all day.

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I am not sure why people compare this deal to McGinnis. It really is not anything like it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I don't think so either.

I was just relating my personal life experience.

Jerk.

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I wasn't pointing at you. Just in general I hear and read people making this comparison. Dumb.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Gonna throw a big F U at you. The cubs can't blow this. Boston can. The cubs are doing everything right in my estimation. Following proper channels, selling their deal to their candidate, and not accepting the BS a scorned lover Boston ownership is throwing at them. It's solid business and it's GREAT to see. I understand the weirdness and how it associates with only the cubs....but honestly I like the position ricketts seem to have taken. See what happens but the fact is, ricketts isn't getting bent over....and That's good.

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

Yep who would have thought just a few short months ago that Ricketts would be clowning the Red Sox like this.

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Git on back there.

also:

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston ... nevitable/

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Git on back there.

How can the Cubs not blow this but Boston can? Boston already has their next GM in place. The Cubs do not. This is a MUCH bigger deal for the Cubs than it is for Boston.

Don't know how you can say anyone is or isn't getting bent over when the compensation hasn't been decided on yet

Boston can not bring theo back but the cubs can hire someone else.

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Git on back there.

Boston's just fine with Theo not coming back. They'll sit on him for a year, no problem.

They will not be allowed to do that. Even if there are no legal ramifications the commish would not allow it.

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Git on back there.

Yeah, Bud's going to do all he can to help the Cub.

Red Sox Focused On McNutt In Epstein Talks

By Tim Dierkes [October 17 at 11:10am CST]

The Red Sox are "believed to be focused" on Cubs pitching prospect Trey McNutt in the Theo Epstein compensation talks, writes Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com. Mooney says Cubs center field prospect Brett Jackson is "untouchable and not part of the discussions," while prospects such as Josh Vitters and Matt Szczur are considered unlikely. A source close to the talks said the Red Sox have been asking for "ridiculous combinations," writes Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.

McNutt, 22, posted a 4.55 ERA, 6.2 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, and 0.5 HR/9 with 120 hits allowed in 95 innings for the Cubs' Double-A affiliate this year. Baseball America ranked him second among Cubs prospects heading into the season and he was a consensus top 70 prospect in the game. McNutt dealt with blister problems and bruised ribs in a disappointing 2011 season, and is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League. ESPN's Keith Law scouted him there, noting "great velocity but well-below-average command and control."

The World Series, scheduled to begin Wednesday, seems to serve as a deadline for the talks between the Cubs and Red Sox. That is the latest point the Red Sox expect a resolution, writes Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. One major holdup is determining which front office members Epstein can take with him to Chicago. Silverman's informed speculation suggests Red Sox vice president of baseball operations Brian O'Halloran, special assistant to the GM Dave Finley, and head athletic director and assistant director of medical services Mike Reinold "could be part of Epstein's request." Senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes and assistant GM Jason McLeod could be candidates to come from the Padres.

Fuck off Boston. No.

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Team Cutler.

They can have McNutt. He has a history of injury problems and is a project. He will probably never be as good as the shark and that is not saying much...and he is years away from that.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

I agree. If that gets the deal done including front office talent coming from Boston, bye bye Trey.

ESPN reporting Boston initially wanted Garza for Epstein. Based on that initial request, the Cubs are either going to give up everybody in their minor leagues that is worth a damn or this will not get done.

Boston:We want Garza
Cubs:
Boston
Cubs:

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Cubs are in great shape here. Boston is acting like they are holding all the cards. Sure BOston, ask for the world, Cubs can just say no and wait it out a year. Theo can give notes on things he wants/does not want in the offseason to Ricketts and interim GM.

Meanwhile, Boston will be paying Theo 7 million for doing absolutely nothing.

If McNutt is really the only thing holding up this deal it should have been done days ago. He tore through rookie ball, low A and high A (13-1 1.74 ERA) then hit a brick wall in double A (5-7 4.71 ERA 25 starts). His WHIP sucks (1.66) and his walk to strikeout ratio is unimpressive (43/78).

I find it really hard to believe a 36th round draft pick and potential double A washout is going to prevent the Cubs from getting the guy they think will finally lead them to a World Series.

Didn't he have blisters or some other hand injury? IIRC there was something wrong with him.

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Blisters? Send him the fuck out of here. I'm sick of fucking pitchers w/ blister issues (Wood, Prior).