As expected, the Chicago Cubs have asked the Boston Red Sox for permission to speak with Theo Epstein regarding a position within their organization, according to a team source close to the Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe.  Epstein is currently under contract with the Red Sox for another season, so the team is not required to grant the request.  Members of the Red Sox met today to discuss their response to the Cubs.

When Cubs’ owner, Tom Ricketts, was asked by FOX Business Network about Epstein, he said, “I don’t know; there’s a lot of good candidates out there. We’re going to talk to a handful of them and I’m sure we’ll come up with the right fit for the team. Ultimately it will be the decision of myself and my family. Obviously we didn’t get it done on the field this year. It was a disappointing season for everyone, but, we’re going to get some new leadership.”

If Epstein leaves, Ben Cherington would be a likely candidate to take over as the team’s GM.  Cherington was part of the meeting that led to Terry Francona’s departure and has been with the team since 1999.

Image by charliekwalker under the Creative Commons License.