Theo Epstein resigns from Chicago Cubs and explains what his next move is
Theo Epstein is out in Chicago after nine seasons with the Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs were expected to go through a transitional phase in 2021. The process is getting started earlier than expected as President Theo Epstein has resigned from his post.
The news dropped Tuesday afternoon via several reports and the team itself sharing the move.
Theo Epstein will step down from his role as President of Baseball Operations effective Nov. 20 and depart the organization after nine seasons.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 17, 2020
Jed Hoyer, who joined the club in Nov. 2011 as Executive VP/General Manager, will be named President of Baseball Operations. pic.twitter.com/SDeF826SFH
As for what his next move is, rumors are already swirling that he’ll be headed to New York to fix the Mets or stop off in Philadelphia to give Bryce Harper what he needs with the Phillies. But Epstein says he’s taking a year off before deciding what to do next.
In a letter sent today to friends, Theo Epstein outlined his reasons for leaving the Cubs. As far as him going to the Mets or Phillies, though -- well, this is from the letter: "Next summer will be my first in 30 years not clocking into work every day at a major league ballpark."
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2020
Epstein out in Chicago
Epstein still had a year remaining on his contract so this comes as a surprise. However, it is clear the team may go through another rebuild and perhaps he wanted to get out and explore other opportunities before everything goes downhill.
The 46-year-old won in Boston and also ended the painful championship drought in Chicago. Now he is set up as a top candidate for any team seeking a massive turnaround. Maybe Steve Cohen will give him a call to come to New York.
Epstein showed up in October 2011 and the Cubs lost 101 games in his first full season. The team was in the postseason in 2015 and won the World Series in 2016 as the group he built became one of the best in baseball.
Now it is time to pay players like Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Anthony Rizzo. Keeping everyone in town isn’t feasible and thus, it is Jed Hoyer’s problem to figure out now. He now gets a promotion from GM to President and has some tough decisions to make.
Epstein came to the Cubs to win a World Series. It took a few more years of losing but he did just that. He has taken heat for the team not following up the 2016 run with another World Series berth, however, his tenure should be remembered fondly for turning around an organization that made the playoffs three times from 2000-2014.
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Cubs ownership now has to decide if Hoyer will be the face of the front office heading into the future, or if he too is on his way out soon as well.