The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy reports that the Cubs have officially asked permission to speak to Red Sox GM Theo Epstein.
According to Shaughnessy, there were meetings at Fenway Park this afternoon regarding the team’s response to the request.
Epstein is under contract for another year, so the Red Sox would have the right to refuse the request. Or, as the Globe’s Peter Abraham notes, the Red Sox could agree to such a request with the stipulation that they receive compensation in the event that the Cubs and Epstein reach an agreement.
The Cubs are also thought to have some interest in Red Sox assistant GM Ben Cherington. Complicating things there is that Cherington would almost certainly step in for the Red Sox if Epstein leaves.
A source close to Epstein said earlier this week that it was 50-50 whether Theo would leave the Red Sox.
