Cubs ask for permission to talk with Epstein

[Satsuma Illini]

I really hope we don't get a Yankees-Red Sox type system in the National league. They just buy up everything and it's just ridiculous. I feel sorry for the other teams in the East. If the Cubs became a team like them, then baseball would be 

[bwbp3]

I'd love it if the Cubs took on that strategy.  At least we'd have a team worth watching into late septembers every year. 

[ErvinSmallFanClub]

When you have the payroll Boston has had, you should win as much or more than Epstein has won. Can he build a team through the draft and by acquiring young talent?

The Red Sox do have a lot of expensive players acquired from other teams on their roster (Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, Lackey).  But look at the All-Stars who've come from their farm system in the last several years:  Youkilis, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon, Jon Lester.  Plus their farm system also produced Hanley Ramirez, who was sent to Florida in the trade for Beckett.  Based on that, I would say that Epstein does know how to draft and build a productive farm system.

[Lou Do]

When you have the payroll Boston has had, you should win as much or more than Epstein has won. Can he build a team through the draft and by acquiring young talent?

The Red Sox do have a lot of expensive players acquired from other teams on their roster (Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, Lackey).  But look at the All-Stars who've come from their farm system in the last several years:  Youkilis, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon, Jon Lester.  Plus their farm system also produced Hanley Ramirez, who was sent to Florida in the trade for Beckett.  Based on that, I would say that Epstein does know how to draft and build a productive farm system.

Han Ram Signed in 2000, Youk was drafted in 2001, Lester was drafted in 2002 prior to the hire of Epstein. 
Pedroia, Ellsbury and Papelbon are his. 
Theo took over end of 2002.  He did make the deal to move him to get Beckett. 

[Big Phil]

anyone is better than Hendry 

[Firehawk]

Not cheap, just not Boston type payroll.

Cubs have had one of the higher payrolls in the league last few years already..top 10 going back to 2004
http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/baseball/mlb/salaries/team/2011
6th -this year
3rd -2010
3rd-2009 (Boston 4th that year)
8th -2008
8th - 2007
7th - 2006
9th -2005
7th - 2004

Now yes, some of these years there has been a 20+ million gap between Sox and Cubs...but the Sox have also been contenders the last several years too...teams have a tendency to spend more if they have a shot to win...if the Cubs were in a  similar spot we might have had a higher payroll still, but top 10 isn't bad. it can buy you a heck of a team if you know what you are doing. its certainly not small market payroll, or a payroll where you better start building a farm up because its going to be your only way to win.

Now in the past that money was not spent wisely, but that's the point. Bring in somebody that will spend it wisely, hopefully. Whos also built a team already under similar circumstances , under similar pressures and a similar team structure...I wouldn't be opposed to the TB guys...I just think TB and Chicago are 2 different worlds...Chicago fans are incredibly impatient...more fans go to a Monday afternoon game in Chicago then a weekend TB playoff game...and don't forget "103" its a number no team except the Cubs has hanging over it

[ErvinSmallFanClub]

When you have the payroll Boston has had, you should win as much or more than Epstein has won. Can he build a team through the draft and by acquiring young talent?

The Red Sox do have a lot of expensive players acquired from other teams on their roster (Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, Lackey).  But look at the All-Stars who've come from their farm system in the last several years:  Youkilis, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon, Jon Lester.  Plus their farm system also produced Hanley Ramirez, who was sent to Florida in the trade for Beckett.  Based on that, I would say that Epstein does know how to draft and build a productive farm system.

Han Ram Signed in 2000, Youk was drafted in 2001, Lester was drafted in 2002 prior to the hire of Epstein. 
Pedroia, Ellsbury and Papelbon are his. 
Theo took over end of 2002.  He did make the deal to move him to get Beckett.

Fair points on the draft dates.  Still, three All-Stars, one of whom has won an MVP award, is a decent haul from the minor leaguers and far better than what the Cubs have gotten from their farm system in recent years (granted, that's a pretty low bar).  And if you believe the book Moneyball, the Red Sox would have traded Youkilis to the A's had it not been for Epstein and his understanding of Youkilis's value.