Theo Epstein, the curse-breaking baseball executive who helped bring a World Series to the Cubs more than a decade after he helped do the same thing for the Boston Red Sox, could be ending his time in Chicago.
In an end-of-season news conference held on Monday after the Cubs were eliminated from the postseason, Epstein hinted this season may be his last in Chicago and repeatedly mentioned a “transition” was likely coming.
“You have to be smart in discussing the timing and nature of a transition because it’s inevitable at some point,” Epstein said.
Epstein, who has one year left on his five-year, $50 million contract with Chicago, spent about a decade with the Red Sox before coming to the Cubs in 2011.
“I think there are benefits to change after a significant amount of time on the job — about a decade,’’ he said. ‘‘And I think I have to keep that in mind without making any definitive statements.’’
If Epstein does end up leaving the Cubs but wants to continue working as a baseball exec, one possible landing spot is in Philadelphia with the Phillies.
The ballclub is seeking a leader of baseball operations after general manager Matt Klentak’s departure from the role last week. His assistant, Ned Rice, is filling the role on an interim basis but is not considered a candidate for the permanent position, NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
The Cubs scored one run while being swept by the Miami Marlins in two games in the wild-card round last week at Wrigley Field.
Core players Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo will all be free agents after next year, and it is likely Epstein will put a couple of them on the trade block this offseason.
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