Look, it doesn't really matter who the Boston Red Sox want, a good GM is always worth more than a single player. Especially when that single player is a former 32nd-round draft pick.
I'm not suggesting that Theo Epstein will be a great GM for the Chicago Cubs. What I am saying is that a GM will impact a ballclub, positively or negatively, much more than any one player.
Especially when the player in question was a very low-round draft choice.
Now, this is not meant to inflate Epstein or reduce Trey McNutt, whom the Red Sox are reportedly now targeting as compensation to part with Epstein mid-contract.
The point I'm trying to make is that Tom Ricketts has identified Epstein as "the guy," so regardless of how things work out, he has to have a greater impact than any one player over a long enough period of time.
Even if that player is Albert Pujols.
But instead it is Trey McNutt, a pitcher who is coming off a very mediocre season, though injuries to his ribs seem to have had an effect on the kid.
I am not taking anything away from McNutt, who I believe will eventually be a good starting pitcher in the majors after showing promise with a breakout 2010 campaign.
I'm just saying that it is a reasonable request by Boston.
Having said this, I do believe that Tom Ricketts has the leverage and is doing the right thing by negotiating hard with the Red Sox,.
In the end, I believe that Boston will cave in and accept the best offer, and this may be it. After all, the Sox have all but ensured Ben Cherington that he will take over as GM.
Plus, to force Epstein to spend a year on an island would cost the Sox more than $7 million, and that would be stupid.
No announcements are allowed during the World Series, but the Cubs were allowed to announce the sale of their club to the Ricketts, so that can be negotiated.
This is going to happen; it's just a question of when.
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