Chicago Cubs Rumors: Cubbies Putting Together All-Star Front Office

There have been some interesting new developments in the Theo Epstein-to-Chicago Cubs saga.

Yes, that whole thing is still going on. However, it sounds like it may be coming to an end very soon.

According to a report from ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine, the deal to acquire Epstein from the Boston Red Sox will be finalized at some point on Thursday. Because major announcements during the World Series annoy Major League Baseball, the deal could be formally announced on Friday, an off day for the Fall Classic.

And now for the good stuff. Per Levine's source, Epstein will be named the Cubs' president of baseball operations, but he won't be handling general manager duties like he did in Boston. Those will be handed off to Jed Hoyer, currently the GM of the San Diego Padres and a former assistant of Epstein's with the Red Sox. In addition, there's a report out from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Padres assistant GM Jason McLeod would also be headed to Chicago.

Now, it should be noted that none of this is final. In fact, Sox owner John Henry said that a deal is "not close." It sounds like a proper compensation package for Epstein's services has yet to be agreed upon, though, Levine's report claims that the Sox will get some minor leaguers from the Cubs. They originally wanted Matt Garza, and at one point, supposedly tried to force the Cubs into taking John Lackey's contract off their hands. Presumably, they wanted nothing to do with the idea.

At any rate, the point is that all the drama surrounding Epstein's departure from Beantown (all of which has been totally overblown) will be coming to an end very soon. At that juncture, the Cubs will have themselves a shiny new front office.

And a damn good one, too. We can joke all we want about Epstein's questionable free-agent signings, but the fact of the matter is that the dude is one of the smartest GMs in baseball. As evidenced by players like Dustin Pedroia (2008 AL MVP), Jacoby Ellsbury (2011 AL MVP?), Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester, Epstein knows how to draft and develop talent, which is a skill the Cubs could very much use.

Of course, much of Epstein's smarts will be channeled through Hoyer, and he's no slouch, either. He was at Epstein's side when the Sox won the World Series in 2004 and 2007, and I think he did some good work with the Padres in the two years he was with the club. He'll probably forever be remembered as the guy who traded Adrian Gonzalez, but he got a very nice package of prospects in return.

So if ever there were a couple of guys to end the Cubs' century-plus championship drought, I daresay they have found them. Cubs fans must not expect to see immediate returns in 2012, but don't be surprised when the Cubs are suddenly loaded with talented players and making their presence felt in the National League Central. Once they get to that point, a trip to the Fall Classic will be a legitimate possibility.

But just to be safe, I'd leave your billy goats at home.