BOSTON –– They chatted together. They took pictures together. They convened at a panel together.
But would Ben Cherington and Theo Epstein discuss the Red Sox' compensation for Epstein's departure to the Cubs? Not a chance — at least not with reporters at Monday's Hot Stove Cool Music Baseball Roundtable.
"Nothing new, would any of you like to resolve it?," Cherington joked. "I don't know what the resolution is going to be. The commissioner [Bud Selig] has been involved…it's hard to qualify it as a disagreement. There was an expectation when Theo left that the Red Sox would receive significant compensation."
The saga stems from October, when Epstein resigned as the Red Sox general manager to become the Cubs' president of baseball operations. Epstein vacated the Boston post with a year left on his contract and signed a five-year, $18.5 million deal with Chicago.
After months of stalled discussions, Epstein and Cherington recently handed the matter over to Selig, who will make the final decision. On Monday, Epstein wouldn't divulge any update on the progress.
"I don't know," Epstein said. "It looks like it should be coming to an end somewhat soon. I don't think it's appropriate for me to talk about it. No one has really talked much about it. Probably a better question for MLB."
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