Epstein leaves for Cubs

In essence, Epstein’s first deal for the Cubs will be for himself.

Because Epstein is resigning with a year remaining on his contract, the Red Sox are entitled to compensation. That has been a sticking point, with the teams having vastly different views on what is appropriate.

The Cubs have wanted to pay cash, while the Sox initially sought righthander Matt Garza or stellar young shortstop Starlin Castro. They also took a shot at asking the Cubs to take on John Lackey and the nearly $46 million remaining on his deal.

The sides are expected to settle on a package of minor league players.

The teams made their announcement with the permission of Major League Baseball, which did not want the news coming out over the weekend and interrupting coverage of the World Series.

The Padres also were on hold. Their GM, Jed Hoyer, has agreed to join Epstein in Chicago, along with San Diego assistant GM Jason McLeod. Hoyer and McLeod were on Epstein’s staff in Boston before leaving in 2009.

Another former Epstein lieutenant, Josh Byrnes, will become the GM in San Diego. He joined the Padres’ front office last year after being fired as GM by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For the Red Sox, it is the end of a wildly successful era. Epstein was named general manager on Nov. 25, 2002, and helped build a team that won the World Series in 2004 and 2007.

The Red Sox were in the postseason six times in his nine years and won 95 or more games six times.

During Epstein’s tenure, the Red Sox became a player development powerhouse, drafting and developing such players as Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Dustin Pedroia.

Epstein traded for 2004 postseason hero Curt Schilling and plucked an obscure slugger named David Ortiz out of free agency in 2003.

There were rough patches along the way. Epstein left the team for nearly three months in 2005 during a power struggle with team president Larry Lucchino.