Theo Epstein will take control as general manager of the Chicago Cubs as soon as the Cubs and Boston Red Sox finalize the deal. Epstein takes the reins of the Cubs after the haphazard tenure of Jim Hendry.
In nine years, Hendry oversaw moderate success. Hendry’s Cubs teams made the playoffs twice and went to the National League Championship Series once.
However, Hendry didn’t do a terrific job running the baseball side of the Cubs in his nine years as general manager.
Hendry spent fortunes on players who weren’t worth their pay (e.g. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez), and the ChiCubs minor league system was as unproductive as ever.
Epstein will be a refreshing hand leading the club. Following are five ways he’ll recalibrate the Cubs organization.