Theo Epstein Steps Down
By Brooke Brottman
After overseeing a golden era of baseball on the North Side of Chicago, where a World Series triumph was experienced for the first time in more than a century, Theo Epstein has decided to step down from his role of President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs. General Manager Jed Hoyer will replace Epstein as the head of Baseball Operations.
Epstein's decision came as he was entering the final year of a five-year extension, which put his future with the Cubs in doubt. Epstein opted to step aside, allowing Hoyer who has been his longtime GM to help move Chicago into its next phase. Epstein mentioned three primary factors in his decision for moving up the timetable to now rather than October 2021. This offseason will likely require decisions that could have a long-term impact on the franchise. Epstein feels it is better to have someone make those calls who would be with the Cubs for the foreseeable future, beyond 2021. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Cubs' financial situation, contributing to layoffs across multiple departments across the organization. Lastly, Epstein firmly believes that Hoyer is prepared to move into the head of Baseball Operations job, given his extensive background.
Theo Epstein was with the Cubs since 2011. (Scott Slingsby/CC)
Epstein was in line to earn a reported $10 million in 2021, and he acknowledged that the financial component did enter into his final decision. By stepping down, he will not be paid by the Cubs in 2021, so that money can be re-allocated for the financial losses that came about this past year. Both Epstein and Hoyer joined the Cubs prior to the 2012 season and began a rebuild of the historic franchise. Their efforts brought a 2016 World Series championship to Chicago, ending the team's 108-year drought. This came after Epstein and Hoyer similarly brought a World Series championship to the Red Sox (2004 and 2007) after Boston had not won since 1918. Since 2015, the Cubs have reached the playoffs in five of six years, winning three National League Central titles and reaching the NL Championship Series three times.
Epstein oversaw a massive rebuild when he came to Chicago following the 2011 season. He loaded the farm system as well as the scouting and analytics operations, helping to produce one of the most successful stretches in the franchise’s history with a big assistance from Hoyer. With stars Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, and trades for players such as Anthony Rizzo and Jake Arrieta, the signing of Jon Lester and the hiring of former manager Joe Maddon, the Cubs transformed into top contenders. In 2016, they won 103 games to run away with the NL Central and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS for their first NLCS win since 1945. The Cubs fell behind in the series 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians in the World Series before a historic comeback to beat them in seven games, ending a World Series title drought from 1908. The Cubs 505 wins in that six-year period trail only the Dodgers (528) and the Houston Astros (510). Chicago, the Dodgers, New York Yankees and Astros are the only clubs with at least five playoff appearances in the past six seasons.
Along the way, Epstein became one of just five executives in baseball history to win a World Series with two organizations. As Epstein has mentioned multiple times over the years, he is a strong believer in the 10-year philosophy of legendary football coach Bill Walsh. The idea is that leaders in the sports world should seek change after a decade for the benefit of both the organization and the individual. Epstein served as the GM of the Red Sox from 2003-11 before moving on to the Cubs. Nine years later he is planning on taking a break from being in a front office before pursuing a new chapter in baseball. He is not sure what or when that will be, but he feels strongly about taking the first step now.
You can follow Brooke on Twitter @Brottman_10.
