ESPN

It seems we’ve finally arrived at the value of Theo Epstein, the man/boy genius in the middle of a long, strange compensation struggle between two of baseball’s historically cursed franchises.

Boston’s former GM bolted for the Cubs’ presidency not long after the Red Sox’s epic collapse, but the transactional costs weren’t completed until Thursday, when Boston sent Jair (not Xander) Bogaerts to Chicago -- on the very day when (not that) Chris Carpenter, the first player Theo sent to Boston, underwent elbow surgery.

Call that bad luck, but is there something more happening in these seemingly minor transactions, after Theo had been (ironically) arguing all along that he’s really not worth much, while his replacement/former lieutenant, Sox GM Ben Cherington, had reportedly been asking for big leaguers like Starlin Castro and Matt Garza?

This is probably more coincidence than curse, but the second player the Sox received from the Cubs is named Aaron Kurcz.

To recap: Theo’s Cubs tried to restore Boston’s curse (Kurcz and a destined-for-repairs-Carpenter) ... And the Sox responded with “We already broke ours, so please, Bogaerts the curse for yourself.”

The assessment: If Theo’s worth were a Venn diagram, he’d be smack dab in the intersection between a billy goat, a Broadway show, a bottle of Jack Daniels, a Bartman, a case of beer and a bucket of chicken.

The winner: TBD. The aftershocks will no doubt be felt well beyond Opening Day. Our prediction? This one will be settled in the World Series ... in 2112.

If you haven't heard, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is apparently headed to the Chicago Cubs. The deal is signed, sealed and delivered ... well, almost. In all seriousness, sources are indicating that the Sox and Cubs are finalizing the terms, and that San Diego Padres GM Jed Hoyer will follow Epstein to Chicago, where Hoyer will serve as GM under Epstein, who's expected to be named president of baseball operations at some point Thursday night. An announcement could come Friday, an off day in the World Series schedule.

ESPN Chicago is reporting that the Red Sox and Cubs are close to finalizing compensation that would clear the way for Theo Epstein to head to Chicago. Here's the report:

The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are finalizing a deal that would make Theo Epstein the Cubs' president of baseball operations at some point Thursday morning, according to a Major League Baseball source.

A source with knowledge of negotiations said: "The two sides are on the 5-yard line."

A news conference is expected on Friday.

The Red Sox initially asked for Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza, and at one point proposed the Cubs take pitcher John Lackey's contract as part of the compensation, according to a major league source. Lackey has three seasons remaining on a five-year, $82.5 million contract. He was 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA in 28 starts for the Red Sox in 2011.

But the expected agreement will include Cubs minor leaguers, although not top prospects Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt and Matt Szczur, the source said. Cash will not be part of the compensation.

MLB already has told the Cubs that they can have a news conference on Friday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Click HERE to read more of the story.

Asked about the scuttlebutt linking Theo Epstein with the vacant general manager's job with the Chicago Cubs, team owner Tom Ricketts didn't say he was interested in Epstein but didn't say he wasn't.

"I don’t know; there’s a lot of good candidates out there," Ricketts said on Fox Business Network. "We’re going to talk to a handful of them and I’m sure we’ll come up with the right fit for the team.

"Ultimately it will be the decision of myself and my family. Obviously we didn’t get it done on the field this year. It was a disappointing season for everyone, but we’re going to get some new leadership."

BOSTON -- It's too early in the offseason for the Boston Red Sox to start considering the status of free agents David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon.

Both were major contributors for the Sox this season and both will be looking for multiyear contracts at big bucks. Whether they remain with the club remains to be seen, but general manager Theo Epstein said during the team's postmortem news conference that he would like to have both back in 2012.

"I can't say too much about that now except the general and the obvious that we'd love to have both guys back if there's a way to do that," Epstein said. "They've been huge contributors here, not only on the field but as leaders."

Ortiz was consistent all season and finished with a .309 average, 29 homers and 96 RBIs in 146 games. The team's designated hitter will turn 36 on Nov. 18 and he has made it no secret he wants a long-term contract with Boston. He made $12.5 million in 2011 after the club exercised its option last winter.

"I think David's been (a leader) for a long time. He's been the face of the franchise and instrumental figure in our clubhouse," Epstein said.

Papelbon picked up 31 saves this season and became the first pitcher ever to record 30-plus saves in his first six full seasons in the big leagues. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, he'll be remembered for his blown save and loss in Wednesday's final game of the season against the Baltimore Orioles.

Papelbon said following that loss that he wouldn't let that moment define his season or his career. When asked if he wanted to remain with the Red Sox, he said that would take care of itself during the offseason.

Before Papelbon left Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon he spoke with Epstein.

"I actually told Pap earlier today that he took his overall game to a new level this year, not just on the field, but he demonstrated leadership capabilities," Epstein said. "There was a time earlier in his career where I never thought I would say that about Pap, but he really matured. He grew up a Red Sox and I was proud with the way he took that next step to lead by example. We'd love to keep both guys if we could."

In his blog Wednesday morning (Insider access) and in the video above, Buster Olney looks at the Cubs general manager job. He says that the Cubs could go after a big name and mentions Brian Cashman, Andrew Friedman, Billy Beane and Pat Gillick. He also looks at the possibility that the Cubs would go after Theo Epstein.

And here's another big name to keep in mind: Theo Epstein, the general manager of the Red Sox.

In years past, some friends say, Epstein has talked about the Cubs' organization as a place with extraordinary growth potential, and as a unique challenge. When Epstein took over the Red Sox, Boston had more than eight decades of frustration, before it finally won the World Series in 2004.

Keep in mind that Epstein has carved out a strong position under Red Sox owners Henry and Tom Werner, and friends say he has a deep loyalty to the Boston organization -- and keep in mind that Boston is his hometown, and that Epstein is in the middle of his current contract.

But that would not preclude the Cubs from calling the Red Sox and asking whether they could talk to Epstein, presumably with the potential offer of some kind of promotion, such as a club presidency with oversight of baseball operations. There's no telling how Henry would react, or how Ricketts would handle that situation, or what Epstein would want, until those conversations take place.

Click HERE to read the rest of Olney’s blog.

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona decided on the flight home Thursday from Cleveland that he wanted to give Carl Crawford a shot in the leadoff spot of the batting order to try to spark the offense.

The speedy newcomer went 0-for-5 and is now 4-for-28 (.143) this season with the Red Sox.

The last time Crawford hit leadoff was the first seven games of the 2007 season with the Tampa Bay Rays. During that stretch, he hit .250 with five runs scored and was caught stealing on three of four attempts.

After Boston posted its first victory of the season, a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees on Friday at Fenway Park, Crawford said he’s not worried about his slump.

“I’m pretty confident no matter what,” Crawford said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had a rocky start like this, but even if I have, I still have confidence in myself.”

Fellow newcomer Adrian Gonzalez was also shifted in the order because Francona wanted him hitting third to get more at-bats. The slugging first baseman went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored.

“It’s good knowing you’re going to come up to the plate with a lot more RBI opportunities and a lot more times with runners on base,” Gonzalez said. “And I’ll score more runs. It’s great all around.”

Gonzalez has played a total of 864 career games, but Friday was his first at Fenway Park. After the game, he was more focused on the inspirational talk Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein gave the team following batting practice.

"That talk was needed," Gonzalez said. "He did a great job with it. He's a figure that people listen to, and so when it comes from a guy like that, you want to go out there and play hard for him and for the entire organization and the city of Boston."

After showering up and long after fans left after the game, Gonzalez emerged from the dugout wearing street clothes and took a stroll around Fenway Park, getting the lay of the land in his new home.

Terry Francona's initial response to Buck Showalter's criticism of Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was diplomatic, saying he hadn't seen the comments and didn't care to respond.

But given more time to read Showalter's comments, Francona is "aggravated" and says the Baltimore Orioles manager was out of line taking a swipe at his boss, according to reports.

On Thursday, Francona played down Showalter's comments to Men's Journal, in which Showalter suggested Epstein's success as Red Sox GM had more to do with his team's deep pockets than his baseball acumen. Francona said he hadn't seen the story and added that he thought Epstein was pretty smart.

Sunday, Francona had more to say.

"I got asked that the other day and I hadn't seen it. I got it third-hand and I kind of joked about it a little bit. Then I read it and actually I was kind of aggravated a little bit," Francona said Sunday, according to reports. "I don't think that's anybody's place. That's my boss. I was actually kind of aggravated a little bit. It's not the end of the world but I thought he shouldn't have done it.

"I just thought that was a little bit out of line," Francona added. "I don't think he'd be appreciating if I said something about Andy [MacPhail, the Orioles' GM], which I wouldn't," Francona said. "It's none of my business. And for the record, I think Andy's really good."

For more, click here.

BOSTON -- There’s no denying the fact that Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona wishes spring training would start tomorrow.

After a devastating end to the 2010 season in which the Sox failed to reach the postseason, general manager Theo Epstein produced one heck of an offseason. The Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler.

“Theo should be commended for what he did this winter,” Francona said. “We’re going into this season with a lot of excitement, and there should be. Our organization has done a lot of good things.”

The veteran Red Sox players who were injured last summer are all healthy, and once the calendar turned to January, spring training is around the corner.

The Red Sox held their annual Rookie Development Camp the past two weeks and veteran players returned to Boston for medical examinations. On Thursday, the 72nd annual Boston Baseball Writers’ Dinner took place at the Westin Copley Hotel with Francona, Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie, Ryan Kalish and Darnell McDonald in attendance.

They all have the bug and can’t wait for camp.

“It’s an exciting time,” Francona said.

Francona has spent the winter doing his usual routine in preparation for spring training. He studies all the player reports and statistical trends. He’ll spend a lot of time learning about the younger players coming to camp.

Francona has met and talked with his new pitching coach Curt Young numerous times so that when pitchers and catchers report, everyone is on the same page. Francona will meet with the rest of his staff soon to make sure that once everyone arrives in Fort Myers, Fla., everything flows smoothly and there’s no time wasted.

“We have a legitimate reason to be excited,” Francona said.

BOSTON – Anytime you can hear the State of the Red Sox from a member of ownership, it’s always interesting.

Team president and CEO Larry Lucchino was awarded with the Fuchs Award for meritorious service to baseball by the Boston Baseball Writers at the annual dinner Thursday night. He addressed the club’s offseason acquisitions, renovations to Fenway Park and the upcoming season.

“I’m a really anxious,” Lucchino said. “By the end of last season, I think I was as tired as any of our fans or players, just being frustrated and all that. All it took was a few months away from it and a few big offseason acquisitions and all of a sudden, I can’t wait [until spring training] to get going.”

Lucchino, along with owner John Henry, had to sign off on the Sox’s offseason acquisitions by general manager Theo Epstein. Getting both Adrian Gonzalez via trade and signing free-agent Carl Crawford were no-brainers.

“I’m very excited about those two players because of their age and how they’re going to be part of the Red Sox, not just for 2011, but for years to come," Lucchino said. "Also, seeing healthy guys like [Dustin] Pedroia, [Tim] Wakefield, [Jason] Varitek, [Jacoby] Ellsbury and [Kevin] Youkilis, it’s going to be a very exciting time.”

There were also plans to move in the right-field wall in front of the bullpens but that proposal has been tabled until 2012, said Lucchino. Fenway Park is in the midst of renovations, including the addition of three new video boards.

“We made a lot of proposals with changes this offseason. A ton of them have been approved and are under way," Lucchino said. "We’ve got about $40 million worth of work under way. This one [moving the right-field wall] did not pass muster and we’re going to re-examine and see if we can come up with some alternative plans that might give us a chance to have a more safer and more competitive bullpen facility.

“It’s down the road somewhere. We have enough to do this year, believe me. Our fans are going to be pleasantly surprised when they come to the ballpark and see the three video boards in center field and the improvements with the access and mobility around the ballpark, the new seats down the right-field line. It’s going to be a full offseason when it comes to the construction work.”

Lucchino also said the Red Sox will go back in time a bit and use an old slogan to describe the 2011 season: “These are exciting times: You gotta be there.”

“These are exciting times,” Lucchino said.

BOSTON -- A year ago at this time, Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield thought his role in the starting rotation was solidified.

It wasn’t.

Turns out the Red Sox needed the veteran knuckleballer to start 19 games due to various injuries but Wakefield spent significant time in the bullpen, something he wasn’t very happy about.

He finished the season with a 4-10 record and a 5.34 ERA in 32 games. Now, with less than a month until pitchers and catchers report, Wakefield knows exactly what his role will be in 2011 and he said he’s more comfortable with it because of that and is going in with an open mind.

“I don’t want to dwell on last year,” he said. “It was what it was and, unfortunately, it happened and I’m looking to look past that and accept whatever role is given to me in the 2011 season and try to win another championship for the city of Boston.”

Wakefield talked about the difficulties of getting through a season emotionally unscathed and dealing with the mental ups and downs that come with being a big league player.

“It’s tough to accept change, especially coming off the season I had in 2009 when I made the All-Star team and pretty much sacrificed the whole second half with a back injury,” he said. “It is tough to accept that change because you’re a competitor at heart. Every athlete will tell you that. They want to be in that starting position and do the best they can to help the club win. I look forward to doing that in 2011.”

Toward the end of his “tough to swallow” season, Wakefield said he thought the 2011 season would be his last. Now that he’s had an offseason to think about his career, he’s not so sure how long his knuckleball will take him.

“I don’t know, yet,” he said. “It’s getting close.”

Before that happens, he would like a chance to reach a few milestones, including 200 career wins. He enters 2011 with 193 career victories.

“It sill might be. You never know," he said. "I’m still wearing the uniform."

BOSTON -- The mystery surrounding Jed Lowrie’s role for the Boston Red Sox continues.

Injuries and other health issues have marred the infielder’s career, but he’s proven time and again that when he’s able to play, he can make significant contributions.

General manager Theo Epstein has said there will be a competition at shortstop once spring training begins, with Marco Scutaro and Lowrie battling it out along with prospect Jose Iglesias.

Manager Terry Francona said Thursday prior to the 72nd annual Boston Baseball Writers’ Dinner that Lowrie’s role, at least to start the season, will be an important one.

Since newly acquired Adrian Gonzalez will be behind schedule due to offseason shoulder surgery, Lowrie could find himself playing first base, third base or both to start the season.

“He has the ability to play all four infield positions, so rather than worry about an infield competition, because Scutaro is our shortstop ... this guy gives us something that I don’t know how many teams can say they have; a switch-hitter who can play first, second, third, or short and play a lot. That, at some point, will probably save us.”

Francona was also quick to point out that the Red Sox believe Lowrie has the ability to be an everyday player. But his immediate role could be as a utility player.

While Lowrie said he understands the situation, he’s preparing to be an everyday player.

“I’m not a utility player,” he said. “But the Boston Red Sox, it’s an organization where it’s hard enough to be a starting player. I feel like I can be a starter on this team. I feel like I can be a starter on most every team in the major leagues. I’m just going to prepare myself to be that player and take it from there.”

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Arnie Beyeler is no stranger to the Boston Red Sox organization.

He’s worked as both a coach and a manager during two different stints (2000-2002 and 2007 to present) in the organization, and he was recently named manager of Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox.

Beyeler, 46, was formally introduced at McCoy Stadium on Friday afternoon, as he replaces Torey Lovullo, who is the new first-base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays under manager and former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell.

Beyeler has managed at Double-A Portland for the past four seasons and was instrumental in the development of numerous Red Sox prospects, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie, Josh Reddick, Ryan Kalish, Daniel Nava, Lars Anderson and Mark Wagner. Beyeler takes pride in the fact that he’s helped each player prepare in accordance with the Red Sox philosophy and he feels a sense of accomplishment when these types of players reach the big leagues and help the Red Sox win.

He’s not about to take credit for the players’ accomplishments, and he’s quick to recognize the many scouts and the player development staff for the organization’s success with all of its minor league affiliates.

Beyeler, along with pitching coach Rich Sauveur and hitting coach Chili Davis, will guide the 2011 PawSox. They all know that it’s not about wins and losses at the minor league level because development comes first.

“Winning is part of development, there’s not doubt about it,” Beyeler said. “Learning how to win is important. We all know we don’t get paid for wins and losses in the minor leagues. We need to get guys ready for their roles at the next level, and sometimes there are some sacrifices along the way.”

Beyeler’s philosophy has always been if young players work hard and play hard, the wins will come. As much as every minor league player, manager and coach wants to win, development -- especially in the Red Sox organization -- is first and foremost.

After spending the past four season as the Sea Dogs’ manager, Beyeler will now deal with veteran minor leaguers at the Triple-A level, but the goal of preparing players to be successful and contribute at the big league level remains the same.

The lines of communication within the Red Sox organization are clearly defined and open from top to bottom. Everyone knows their role, and Beyeler will continue to develop the organization’s top prospects while also helping veteran players prepare accordingly.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Red Sox roster is pretty much set for a long time. It must be a challenge for any minor league manger or coach in the organization to keep young players focused because even they see the log jam and possible road blocks en route to a major league career.

If anything, the 2010 Red Sox season should serve as perfect example -- even a motivational factor -- for young players that you never know what can happen. Boston suffered a slew of major injuries to key players and there were plenty of transactions needed to help the Red Sox.

“It is a communication thing, and you have to talk with guys,” Beyeler said. “The players know what’s going on, too.”

From a minor league prospective, it was a solid learning tool that certain players were called up to Boston and contributed when the Red Sox needed them to last summer. Even though each position on the Red Sox roster is filled, Beyeler is confident the younger players will go about their business in a professional manner so when the time comes, and if Boston needs reinforcements, PawSox players will be ready.

“Hopefully they’ll come back down here and realize what they need to do in order to succeed up there, and just hit the ground running this year,” Beyeler said.

Players come and players go, and it’s quite obvious Beyeler has his finger on the pulse of the type of player who can succeed at the big league level. Whether it’s Kalish or shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias or catcher Luis Exposito or pitcher Felix Doubront, based on experience, Beyeler knows one of these guys could get the call from the Red Sox at some point during the 2011 season.

“It could be a lot of guys,” Beyeler said. “I’m not going to single anybody out but with this roster we have here, it could be a number of guys or it could be some pitchers. We also challenge the guys because every year it’s going to be somebody.”

Because the Red Sox’s player development system does a solid job at preparing these young players, general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona are not afraid to rely on younger players, if needed.

“I think that’s important because it keeps everyone else driven,” Beyeler said. “Everybody kind of feels like, ‘Hey, I’ve got a chance. I still have a uniform on, I’ve got a chance to play hard and work hard and get an opportunity to play in the big leagues.’ That’s what’s it’s all about.

“Hopefully we can continue to do what we’ve been doing, keep things rolling and stay consistent with what we do and, I think, the players respect that.”

Theo Epstein made it clear there will be no closer controversy in spring training, stating during a conference call to announce the signing of Bobby Jenks that he was bringing in Jenks to help set up Jonathan Papelbon.

"We feel really lucky that Bobby wanted to pitch here, and we were able to get someone of his caliber to join our bullpen and help Dan Bard set up for Pap," Epstein said. "It's not every day you can bring in someone of his caliber without a closer opening. We feel lucky that it happened.

"We obviously still see [Papelbon] as our closer and now we have two power setup guys to get him the ball in the ninth inning. Pap, I'm sure, is fine with this. Who wouldn't want guys like this pitching alongside him in the bullpen? Pap kind of disappears during the offseason and does his own thing and then shows up ready to go in spring training, and in great shape as always.

"Every time we add someone of quality to the bullpen he's excited about it, and that should certainly be the case again this time."

Epstein said he has kept Papelbon's agent up to speed this offseason as to the direction of the bullpen and the types of pitchers the club was talking to. Because Papelbon completely shuts himself off from the baseball world during the offseason, Epstein left him a voicemail once the club signed Jenks.

Papelbon is eligible for arbitration this offseason and is expected to command a salary in the $11 million range. He is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.

Click here for more on Jenks and Epstein from today's conference call.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Since Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein landed his big acquisition prior to the winter meetings when he traded for Adrian Gonzalez, the organization didn’t have to force other deals this week.

Epstein met with Boston reporters at approximately 7:45 Wednesday night and didn’t have anything newsworthy to report.

“Nothing really new,” Epstein said. “Moved the ball forward on a couple of negotiations and moved it backward on a few.”

The Sox GM explained a simple phone call to a team, agent or player could change that, but he’s not expecting any deals to be done on Wednesday. The Sox are dealing in both the free-agent and trade market, according to Epstein, and free-agent signings are moving first.

“Teams are trying to fill their needs through reasonable free agency first before they move on to trade where they have to give up players,” Epstein said.

Epstein said on Tuesday that he had some offers out to relievers, and Wednesday admitted he has some offers out to position players, too, but said nothing is close at this point. He had said he thought something could get done before he leaves Florida on Thursday afternoon. Now he’s not so sure.

“Maybe a tick less likely than this time yesterday,” he said. “More so because it seems to be the flow of the meetings leaguewide, not necessarily we’re in a less-advanced position than we were yesterday.”

While Epstein didn't talk about his catching situation, the Red Sox are thought to be involved in intensive talks with catcher Russell Martin, and may have made an offer to receiver Miguel Olivo.

The Sox still are focused on getting bullpen help and a right-handed bat. Signing relievers has been a slow process because of the logjam of available pitchers.

“There’s sort of a rhythm to it where most players don’t want to be the first to sign for fear of getting more later,” Epstein said. “But they don’t want to wait too long and then have fewer options and less resources out there. For teams, it’s the reverse. It’s one big dance. Teams and players will begin to match up soon.”

It’s likely the Red Sox and reliever Andrew Miller will come to terms soon. The Red Sox non-tendered the left-hander in hopes of re-signing him. The sides have met during the meetings.

“It’s going pretty well,” Epstein said. “We continue to talk. The non-tender was part of the plan all along and he knew that. There’s been good dialogue. He’s been up to Boston and we visited him at his home. We’re continuing to get to know each other and see if it’s the right fit for both sides.”

Miller has also talked with Red Sox pitching coach Curt Young, and the Sox believe there could be a resolution to the talks with Miller soon.

The winter meetings official end with the Rule 5 draft Thursday morning. Epstein said it’s likely the Sox will lose a couple of players.