In 2015, Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein certainly lived up to his “smartest man in the room” reputation. There were certainly a whole lot of doubters about his master plan out there in 2014, but there were silenced with authority by a 97 win season capped off by a NLDS triumph over the hated rival St. Louis Cardinals.
Now it’s time for Epstein to get his reward for a job very well done- a new, higher paying deal with the Cubs.
Theo Epstein’s whose five-year, $18.5 million deal expires after this season.
“We’re completely on the same page we just haven’t gotten around to hammering out an actual contract,” he told the media just before 2016 Cubs Convention opened Friday night.
“I see myself as staying in the exact same role for a long time, and I think Tom (Ricketts, Cubs Chairman) sees it the same way. At some point we’ll get around to doing a contract extension.”
Just now, in the morning sessions of Cubs Convention, this topic again came up
1st fan Q: what's holdup w/ Theo extension? Tom: "We kind of know what we're going to do w/ this. You don't have to worry about it"
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) January 16, 2016
Tom says "no holdup" on Theo extension but dodges Q about whether will be done by spring training.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) January 16, 2016
So there you have it, the absolute, most up to date stances from both sides of the table in this negotiation. GM Jed Hoyer’s contract is up to, at the same time as Theo’s. Epstein added that he believes once his deal is done, “Jed’s will follow in short order,” because both Theo and Tom “couldn’t be more aligned on this issue.”
Theo Epstein then went on to say that Cubs players contract extensions should be prioritized over his own, and that he approaches his job with this value in mind.
“I actually think players deserve contracts first before front office guys, but we’re not done with our players yet, Jake (Arrieta), for example probably deserves a contract before I do. In fact, I know he deserves a contract before I do.
“So we’ll take care of that first and at the right time I’m sure we’ll address my situation, but it’s not of the smallest concern to me what so ever, I’m more worried about the team.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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