Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has been the sizzling hot stove candidate for a GM opening with the Chicago Cubs, and the Cubs made the next step in pursuing him Tuesday night, asking the Red Sox for permission to talk with Epstein, according to the Boston Globe.
Meetings to discuss the Cubs' request took place Tuesday at Fenway Park, the Globe reports.
Epstein is still under contract with the Red Sox, which means the club can refuse the request, or allow it with the condition that they receive some sort of compensation in return.
Contacted by phone Tuesday night by ESPNBoston.com, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino refused comment.
A Red Sox official, asked about the likelihood of Epstein leaving, told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes: "All I can tell you is (Epstein) is working with the same vigor and passion to make the Red Sox better. I realize that sounds like a company line, but it is the truth.''
Asked about the report, a Cubs spokesman declined to comment.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts was asked by Fox Business Network on Monday if Epstein would be coming to Chicago.
"I don't know; there's a lot of good candidates out there," he said. "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."
Epstein, who has won two World Series with the Red Sox, has one year remaining on his contract and the team has not said that he will get an extension. In fact, a major league source told Edes that it's 50-50 that Epstein would leave for the right situation.
A source close to Epstein told ESPN MLB analyst Jim Bowden that Epstein was open to the possibility of taking over the Angels or Cubs if "president" were added to his GM title.
