Report: Cubs Ask Permission to Speak With Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein

The Chicago Cubs have asked the Red Sox for permission to speak with general manager Theo Epstein about a position in the Cubs organization, The Boston Globe reports, citing a team source.

Epstein, 37, has been the Red Sox' GM for nine years. Because he is under contract, the Red Sox may refuse the Cubs' request, the Globe reports.

Epstein could be seeking a new challenge or trying to leverage the Cubs' interest into a new contract for more power within the Red Sox organization, Peter Abraham writes.