When you are mired in a curse, who do you call?
Why not Theo Epstein, who led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years, just two years after being appointed general manager?
Epstein, now 37 years old, is credited with reversing the “Curse of the Bambino” at Fenway Park, acquiring key acquisitions David Ortiz, Kevin Millar and Curt Schilling before the team’s improbable run to the championship in 2004. He made sure to add in another championship in 2007, as well.
Now the Chicago Cubs are hoping Epstein can reverse the “Curse of the Billy Goat,” brought on by ticket holder Billy Sianis, who was ejected along with his pet goat by the organization during Game 4 of the 1945 World Series.
The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more.
Cubs fans still get the chills when those infamous last words spring up year after year. When you haven’t won a World Series for 103 years, it’s the little things that count…like billy goat curses.
After Epstein resigned from the Red Sox Friday night, he now is the president of baseball operations for the Cubs.
Will he turn this seemingly hopeless franchise around? Let us examine.
The Cubs last made it to the playoffs in 2008, when they were swept in the NLDS by the Los Angeles Dodgers despite winning 97 games that season. Their record has steadily declined each season after that, winning just 71 games this season.
But there is some hope whenever Epstein is around.
The Cubs don’t have the payroll the Red Sox do, but remember Epstein signed Ortiz for cheap just before he blossomed. It’s not like he still can’t find deals.
He’s going to have to figure out what to do with Carlos Pena and Aramis Ramirez, who are free agents this offseason. Pena hit 28 home runs this season, but he also batted just .225 with 80 RBI. Ramirez is 33 years old and predictably came back to life this season in a contract year.
There’s also Alfonso Soriano’s massive contract. If Epstein can pull off a deal similar to the one that sent Manny Ramirez from Boston to Los Angeles, he would be looked at as some kind of deity by Cubs fans.
He also has to decide whether manager Mike Quade is fit for the job. Ryne Sandberg is waiting in the wings, after all.
In short, the Cubs still aren’t in a good place, nor do they have a roster fit for the playoffs, but they do have Epstein. And if there’s anyone who can turn around a struggling franchise, it’s Epstein.
Epstein’s first offseason with the Cubs will show us just what kind of impact he is ready to make.
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