Theo Epstein Agrees to Join Chicago Cubs, Leaving Boston Red Sox in a Bind

Former Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has agreed to a five-year deal with the Chicago Cubs worth more than $15 million, according to John Dennis of WEEI.

This news comes shortly after the Red Sox gave the OK for Epstein to meet with the Cubs, and a deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the week after Chicago and Boston work out contract details since Epstein still has one year remaining on his current deal.  

The only strange part of this is that Epstein does not yet have a title with the Cubs. I'm sure Chicago has big plans for him, but the Cubs are just deciding not to reveal everything at the moment. 

Epstein leaves a very talented team in Boston for a struggling franchise in Chicago, and now baseball fans are all thinking the same thing. 

Will Terry Francona follow Epstein and manage the Cubs? 

This remains to be seen, but certainly everyone is thinking that will be the next big news in the baseball world that doesn't resolve around the MLB playoffs.

It's hard not to think Francona will join Epstein in Chicago; after all, they did have a lot of success together. Both lifted the curse in Beantown, and Cubs fans are hoping they team together again to bring a World Series title to Chicago.

That may take a few years, but nobody can deny the Cubs are going to get better in the coming years with Epstein on board.  

As for the Red Sox, they have a lot of work to do in the offseason. Nobody expected them to collapse like they did, nor did anyone think they'd be looking for new management during the winter months.

Whoever takes over in Boston is going inherit a very talented roster. Just because the manager and the GM have left, it doesn't mean this team won't be in contention next year.

The Red Sox players have plenty of time to reflect on what happened in the month of September, and it's hard to believe they won't be extremely motivated for next season.

Now baseball fans must wait and see what happens in the coming days and weeks. Nobody knows what will happen, but one thing is for sure: it's going to great watching it all unfold.