Theo Epstein

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff The Chicago Tribune has an eyewitness who claims that Theo Epstein was in Chicago yesterday . In a fun detail, the man spotted in Chicago picked up a banana. Maybe that will go with the gorilla suit he wears to sneak out of Fenway Park for the last time.

It's easy to be outraged about Josh Beckett and crack lame jokes about fried chicken, beer, and golf. But the problem isn't Beckett. The problem is that nobody with the Red Sox — from ownership down to his assorted pitching coaches — has required him to be accountable or demanded that he change. Beckett is a money pitcher. He is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 postseason games over his career and has two World Series rings. The belief is that once you get to the postseason, he'll deliver.

CHICAGO - Media is starting to gather here at Wrigley. One of the largest media gatherings in Chicago sports history is expected. Epstein will be joined by Cubs owner Tom Ricketts. General manager Jed Hoyer and assistant general manager Jason McLeod will not be in attendance. They'll be saved for a press conference to be decided later. Today is all about Theo here in Chicago.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff It's easy to be outraged about Josh Beckett and crack lame jokes about fried chicken, beer, and golf. Knock yourself out. But the problem isn't Beckett. The problem is that nobody with the Red Sox — from ownership down to his assorted pitching coaches — has required him to be accountable or demanded that he change. Beckett is a money pitcher. He is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 postseason games over his career and has two World Series rings.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff According to a team source, Theo Esptein, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner were seen walking around the Fenway outfield yesterday afternoon involved in an "animated" discussion. So it appears the topic of Epstein going to the Cubs was certainly brought up unless they were discussing the possibility of bringing in the right field fences as they had discussed last season. The Cubs did fill out the proper forms with Major League Baseball to seek permission to speak to Theo Epstein, according to a Major League Baseball source.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff PHILADELPHIA — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein just met with reporters for 20 minutes in the dugout. Here's what he had to say about the salient issues surrounding the team: On Adrian Gonzalez playing the outfield: “That was a tough call. There were strong arguments on both sides. But in the end, it’s something we’re all on the same page about, that it’s worth trying. Adrian has given the adequate assurances that he won’t exert himself too much out there running, throwing or up against the wall.” Epstein said the...

The Red Sox and Cubs have asked Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig to settle the issue of compensation for Theo Epstein, an MLB source said. The issue has lingered since Epstein left as Red Sox general manager in October to become the Cubs' president of baseball operations. Selig had said he would intervene if the sides did not agree by Nov. 1 on compensation for the Red Sox releasing Epstein from his contract. An extension was granted to allow the teams to continue to negotiate, but they did not finalize a deal.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff DALLAS — Theo Epstein left the Red Sox for the Cubs on Oct. 22. Seven weeks later the sides have not agreed on compensation and seem disinterested in settling the issue. "We'll resolve it at some point," Ben Cherington said, joking that there was a loose plan to talk again at some point. Epstein, who is splitting time between Boston and Chicago, said he has used the offices at Fenway Park to conduct business while he's in town. It was either that or Panera Bread.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Red Sox official said yesterday a decision from the commissioner's office on what compensation the Red sox will receive for Theo Epstein should occur "very soon. " That decision will come from MLB commissioner Bud Selig. The decision will come after Selig has studied the briefs submitted by both the Cubs and the Red Sox concerning what each team believes is fair compensation. Epstein was let out of the final year of his contract to take on his new role of team president of the Chicago Cubs.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Now it's clear why Theo left Boston. We weren't willing to worship him like a deity.

KANSAS CITY — They are the kind of numbers that make you check your math twice. Since last Sept. 1, the Red Sox have allowed an average of 6.05 runs per game. Their pitching staff has a 5.58 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. The starters are 13-25 with a 6.41 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. Sox starters are averaging just over 5 1/3 innings per start over the last 56 games. Jon Lester (2-5, 4.98) hasn't been immune. Josh Beckett (3-4, 4.88), either. Throw in the rest of the prospects, suspects and malcontents and you get a team that has won 19 of its last 56 games.

He is the face of a franchise with no soul. It's the perfect role for Adrian Gonzalez. You can take the man out of San Diego, but you apparently can't take the laissez-faire SoCal nonchalance out of the player who is quickly becoming the maddening, non-charismatic answer to JD Drew. Just not in God's plan, I guess. Oftentimes, it can be a stretch to criticize a baseball player's fire and desire, the patient game not exactly on par with the passion exhibited in other sports.

It's not all bad news for Ben Cherington. While the Red Sox general manager can't be happy about the home team's slow start, his personal life is certainly looking up. We're told Cherington and his fiancée, Tyler Tumminia (above), made it official on Friday, getting married in New York while the Sox were in Detroit. (It was an off day, so Cherington didn't have to miss a ballgame.) Like the Sox bullpen, details of the couple's courtship are sketchy. But this much we know: Tumminia is a marketing executive at the Goldklang Group, a sports entertainment...

DETROIT - Six months have flipped off the calendar since the Red Sox collapsed last September, their dispiriting plunge out of the playoffs triggering changes in the dugout and front office. Terry Francona was ousted as manager two weeks before Theo Epstein fled to the Cubs. The Sox added six new players and spent spring training promising they had learned from the mistakes of the past. But two games into the new season, it's more of the same. Josh Beckett, one of the September culprits, allowed five home runs Saturday as the Detroit Tigers beat the Red Sox, 10-0, before...

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Now it's clear why Theo left Boston. We weren't willing to worship him like a deity.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The player the Red Sox received as compensation from the Cubs for the hiring of former general manager Theo Epstein, righthanded reliever Chris Carpenter, is having elbow surgery on Thursday. "Headed into surgery tomorrow with Dr Andrews to remove a bone spur in my elbow," Carpenter tweeted on Wednesday. "Stayin positive and prepared to work harder than ever to come back as soon as I can this season. " Carpenter, 26, has appeared in only two major league spring training games and was not a candidate for the Opening Day roster.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff NEW YORK —Given his close relationship to the Red Sox and Theo Epstein, it's news when Hall of Fame baseball reporter Peter Gammons says on a national radio now, "I've sensed an increasing disconnect between Theo Epstein and Terry Francona. " Gammons then pointed out the apparent lack of repercussions for John Lackey staring down Francona on Monday when he was taken out of the game and Francona leaving Josh Beckett in to pitch the eighth inning on Wednesday.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Readers are e-mailing to suggest various scenarios regarding compensation from the Cubs for Theo Epstein. Obviously, Red Sox fans want a resolution that greatly favors the Red Sox. But there are a few things to keep in mind: ߦ There will not be a three-way compensation deal with the Padres. Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod are leaving San Diego for Chicago and the compensation will be a prospect from a list that has already been drawn up. So forget the notion of unloading John Lackey on the Padres that way. ߦ Epstein is...

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox have sent first baseman Jair Bogaerts to the Cubs as the player to be named later in the Theo Epstein compensation deal. He is the twin brother of well-regarded shortstop prospect Xander Bogaerts. Jair Bogaerts has hit .227 with four home runs in 93 Dominican Summer League games over two seasons. So here's how the compensation played out after five months and eight days: Cubs get: Theo Epstein and 1B Jair Bogaerts.