"It got to the point where the Sox really had to move on with their offseason and had to have a clear decision as to who was their GM. So Sox president Larry Lucchino agreed to let Epstein out of the final season of his contract with the understanding from Cubs owner Tom Ricketts that the Red Sox would receive a “significant’’ player in return."
So the Red Sox ownership and team president were at an unworkable situation with Epstein, so the team agreed to release Epstein from his final year of his contract in exchange for a "significant" player in return. And if Tom Ricketts agreed to this, then he is a dullard and a fool.
In the past, two low level unheard of minor league prospects was the usual compensation for hiring away management. Now, suddenly, with the Cubs it becomes a nuclear compensation melt down.
The Globe story adds: "In the early going, the Sox gave it the old college try, asking for Matt Garza or shortstop Starlin Castro. Now that’s significant. Of course they were rebuffed."
Well, of course you don't give up the young Ernie Banks 2.0 of the franchise or one's number one starter for a guy that will NEVER hit, pitch, run or catch a ball on the field. That would be plain crazy stupid.
But the question still remains, and the Red Sox must have grounds to continue to demand for a "significant" player in compensation, so much so that Bud Selig is taking forever to get the issue resolved (which means if it would be two low level prospects it could have been done in a day.)
The Globe then speculates on who would be in the significant list for the Red Sox: Travis Wood, Jeff Baker and Reed Johnson combo, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Vitters, Junior Lake, Matthew Szczur, Chris Carpenter, James Russell, Jeff Samardzija, top prospects Brett Jackson and Reggie Golden, shortstop Javier Baez, righties Trey McNutt, Zach Cates, and Dillon Maples, and catcher Wellington Castillo.
If any of those mentioned names are part of the Red Sox compensation, then that would be a serious set back for the Cubs. T. Wood is the replacement for Zambrano; Rizzo the replacement for Pena; Carpenter the replacement for Cashner; Russell the replacement for Marshall; Castillo the replacement for K. Hill. Any of these players taken off the Cub roster would unravel Epstein's alleged trading Plan to acquire long term assets. The Lost Season of 2012 could spill over into the Lost Seasons 2012, 2013 . . . .
Plus, there still is the Hoyer compensation due the Padres!
