Theo Epstein: Cubs Securing Red Sox GM Would Be First Step Toward Albert Pujols

Even though Albert Pujols is still attempting to slug the St. Louis Cardinals into the World Series, the Chicago Cubs are already trying to figure out a way to secure his services for 2012. Signing general manager Theo Epstein away from the Boston Red Sox would be the first step toward making it happen.

Here's the latest update on the situation from ESPN's Buster Olney:

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Theo Epstein, the general manager of the Boston Red Sox for two championship teams in the last eight seasons, could be on his way to the Chicago Cubs in the next day or two if the Red Sox and Chicago can conclude negotiations, according to two sources.

"It's likely he's going to go but nothing has been finalized,'' a Red Sox official with direct knowledge of the negotiations told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes.

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Epstein built a winning franchise in Boston using the Moneyball method. It was more like Moneyball on steroids, though, because the Red Sox could outbid the Oakland Athletics and other small market teams for prized free agent discoveries.

In order for Chicago to have a legitimate shot to sign Pujols, who will be a free agent at season's end, they must prove to him that they are dedicated to building a winner. Getting Epstein would be a nice start to the process.

Pujols recovered from a slow start to crush 37 home runs this season. His wOBA (.385) and wRC+ (148) were both on the top-10 fringe among NL hitters, which is quite impressive considering he didn't start hitting until May.

However, there are some concerning numbers from 2011. His walk rate (9.4 percent) represented a career-worst and was five points lower than any of Pujols' past five seasons. That drop also led to a career-low .366 OBP. His isolated power (.242) also dipped to its lowest point.

That said, that's not enough reason to shy away the talented first baseman. The worst season of his career was still good enough to be worth more than five wins (5.1 WAR) and he's only 32, which means he shouldn't be entering a permanent decline yet.

If the Cubs could convince him to become Chicago's biggest star since Michael Jordan, it could also lead to other free agents wanting to join the team.

Epstein ended the Curse of the Bambino and it would only seem fitting he also end the Curse of the Billy Goat. And Albert Pujols could be the first piece of his new puzzle.