Theo Compensation Fiasco Gets Even Worse

Jair (L) and Xander Bogaerts

Just when you thought the ludicrous Theo Epstein compensation case had reached is loony limit, now there are two more absurd pieces to the puzzle. First, our huge windfall, Chris Carpenter, is getting elbow surgery with Dr. Andrews. Of course, he was such a bust in Spring Training anyway (21.60 ERA), that losing him for the year is akin to losing John Lackey—that is, a wonderful up-side!

Nevertheless, this whole botched episode (which ran over four months) is now even more agonizing as we, the Red Sox, have sent a player to the Cubs! That's right, this possibility first surfaced back when the deal was done—and various sources were unclear on whether we really had to send someone to Chicago. Well, we have. First baseman/Catcher Jair Bogaerts (the brother of highly-touted Sox SS prospect Xander Bogaerts) is headed to the Windy City. So, we got an injured stiff and gave up a healthy 19-year old prospect in return—oh, and we lost Theo Epstein. Who negotiated this beauty?