Sports

Red Sox GM agrees to five-year deal with Cubs: report

CHICAGO — Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein agreed to a five-year contract worth more than $15 million to lead the front office of the Chicago Cubs, WEEI.com reported Wednesday.

The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the week after the Cubs and Red Sox agree on compensation, because Epstein has one year left on his contract with Boston.

The Cubs declined comment Wednesday and Red Sox officials could not be reached by The Associated Press.

Epstein’s departure is the latest in the wake of Boston’s disastrous finish. On Sept. 30, two days after the Red Sox were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the regular season, Terry Francona’s eight-year stint as manager ended.

UGLY LOOK AT COLLAPSE

The Red Sox had two years of options on Francona, but he said during a meeting the morning of Sept. 30 with Epstein and team owners John Henry and Tom Werner that he thought the club needed “a new voice” after problems arose in the clubhouse.

Through Sept. 3, the Red Sox held a nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Wild Card, and the teams were tied in the standings going into the final day of the regular season. The Red Sox lost to Baltimore 4-3 a few minutes before the Rays beat the Yankees 8-7 in 12 innings to gain the playoff spot.

“This is one for the ages, isn’t it?” Epstein said moments after the Rays won.

No team has blown a bigger lead in September and missed the playoffs. Boston did not win consecutive games at any point in the month.

It was a startling fall for the Red Sox and Epstein, who attended Brookline High School close to Fenway Park and became baseball’s youngest general manager ever at 28 years, 11 months old when he was appointed on Nov. 25, 2002.

But he’s been criticized for giving long-term, costly contracts to free agents J.D. Drew, John Lackey and Carl Crawford, none of whom came close to meeting expectations.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry also was criticized for giving similar deals to pitcher Carlos Zambrano, left fielder Alfonso Soriano and right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, who was traded last season.

One of Epstein’s highest priorities could be determining the future of manager Mike Quade, who has one year left on his two-year contract.

Ricketts has been impressed with the Red Sox model and how they overhauled Fenway Park and increased revenue streams by adding seats above the Green Monster in left field and other parts of the stadium. Fenway is the only park in the majors older than Wrigley Field.

Ricketts said he was seeking a general manager who could use the new statistical and analytical data in baseball in conjunction with traditional scouting, a description that fits Epstein.

With AP