Theo Epstein resigns from Red Sox

[JohnT]

Just saw it on SportsCenter

BOSTON -- Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein resigned Monday, a stunning move that surprised the baseball world one year after he helped build Boston's first World Series championship team since 1918.

The 31-year-old Epstein was reportedly offered about $4.5 million for a three-year extension - quadruple his previous salary. But it was still short of the $2.5 million a year the Red Sox offered Oakland's Billy Beane in 2002 before making Epstein the youngest GM in baseball history.

"He did resign," Red Sox spokesman Charles Steinberg said.

According to the Boston Herald, which first reported the news on its Web site, Epstein went through "agonizing soul-searching" as he considered whether to continue working for team president Larry Lucchino, whom he followed from Baltimore to San Diego to Boston.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/2010AP_BBA_Red_Sox_Epstein_Resigns.html

[JohnT]

If he's resigning because of the money, he's a fool. On the other hand, I can't understand why the Red Sox wouldn't pay him what he wanted.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, I mean it's not like they have a lot of experience in winning World Series . Why not give the guy the money they offered Beane? It's not like they are financially struggling.

I believe Epstein is leaving not just because of the money but because the relationship with Lucchino is badly strained at this point. With a huge heaping of money he may have been able to overlook it.

Though, he left at the right time. He'll ALWAYS be remembered in Boston as a hero and he won't be around when things go sour again. People will be saying 20, 30, 50 years from now "If we only kept Theo".

[Verto]

Weren't you the one complaining about worthless news making headlines?

[Imran Siddiqui]

This is big time stuff, Verto.

[Verto]

Yes, his agonizing soul searching has deeply affected us all.

[mrmitchell]

Really, Verto's got you on that, Imran.

[Asher]

This is HUGE news. It may just be a talking point by colour commentators 8 months from now.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by mrmitchell
Really, Verto's got you on that, Imran.

No he hasn't. The Boston Red Sox lost their amazingly talented GM over a contract dispute!! Of course it's worthy of headlines!! How could it not be?

[Verto]

Who cares about some stupid Hockey team

[Imran Siddiqui]

The news gets worse! Apparently tomorrow begins the 1st day of Free Agency, and the BoSox have NO GM. Their assistant GM left to be the GM of the DBacks.

[JohnT]

[Wycoff]

If Epstein really wants to prove how good he is, then he should find some way to become GM of the Pirates. He'd deserve a medal if he could bring a World Series victory to Pittsburgh... they've had 13 straight losing seasons.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Perhaps he could do just as well by agreeing to GM the Dodgers .

Anyway, I've heard that he may just take a year off. Then, at least he'd be in line for the good GM jobs at the end of the season.