Relax, Cubs fans. The architect behind a season of great expectations plans on being around no matter how 2016 turns out.
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Both team owner Tom Ricketts and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein agree that a new contract is getting closer. And as Epstein's five-year deal runs out after this season, he hopes to be in Chicago "for a long time," ESPN.com reported.
"We had good, productive conversations," Epstein said before the Cubs' 9-0 opening-day win over the Angels on Monday in Anaheim, Calif. "Neither one of us had a ton of time to focus on it. No cause of concern. We had good talks. We both feel like it will get done sometime soon."
Under Epstein, who broke Boston's World Series curse before arriving in Chicago, the Cubs have in four years turned into World Series contenders while their farm system was rebuilt and populated with up-and-coming superstars who are now in the MLB lineup.
"We talked about it at spring training," Ricketts said of the new contract. "I think we'll get to a conclusion pretty soon."
According to ESPN.com, neither side is worried about a timetable and they couldn't say whether the deal would get done before the Cubs' home opener next Monday. Part of the context: Epstein wants his front-office team to remain intact.
"This is not a one-man operation," Epstein stated. "Everyone has different contracts, but our goal is to keep the group in the front office together for a long time."
