Even though the expiration date on Theo Epstein’s Cubs tenure read “Best by 10/2021,” the milk was starting to curdle and it had become abundantly clear that the time had come to move on. Beyond the reports that he was still mulling his future with the team, there was the obvious quandary created by the need to remain somewhat competitive while at the same time undergoing what appears to be a drastic reduction in payroll.
So after frequently citing the late Bill Walsh’s concept that 10 years in one place is the limit, Epstein is stepping down a year early.