Monday Blue Jays Notebook

DID ALEX ANTHOPOULOS bring his A-game to Dallas? We shall see. The Blue Jays need pitching, and if the walls of the Hilton Anatole could talk, they'd share stories of Alex talking up prospects Nestor Molina, Travis d'Arnaud, Adeiny Hechavarria and others. The Toronto GM told reporters that Chad Jenkins and Deck McGuire (and others) are "on the cusp" of reaching the majors, which tells me he's looking to shop a package of youngsters for a proven big-league arm.


The Cubs have been fielding questions on Matt Garza, who is among the best starting pitchers being shopped around at Winter Meetings. Memo to AA: dangle Adeiny and one of your stud catchers (Travis d'Arnaud, A.J. Jimenez, Carlos Perez) in exchange for Garza. I realize the Cubs have Starlin Castro at SS, but Theo can flip Adeiny elsewhere.


In other news, Molina isn't fazed about recent discussions of him becoming a reliever. That's not the long-term plan, but I envision Molina earning a 2012 midseason callup, and then pitching from the bullpen to log some experience. In '13, he'll be in the starting rotation ... "I don't care if I'm a starter, reliever or closer. The most important thing is to be in the big leagues. That's my goal. I'm just looking for my opportunity, and I'm very sure I'm going to get that," Molina told me over the weekend. "I believe in myself. I've been working hard for three weeks (in Valencia, Venezuela) to get in good shape for spring training and to give a good surprise."


Prince Fielder to Toronto? I don't see it. I think that's wishful thinking and speculation generated by Fielder and his agent, who are the Blue Jays are likely to increase spending by as much as $50 million in 2012. 

Breaking: Red Sox, Cubs, move forward on Theo deal

It's now official that Theo Epstein has resigned from the Red Sox, taking the position as president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. Compensation has yet to be hammered out, but both clubs have agreed to a process in which that will be resolved "in the near term," according to a Red Sox statement. The Red Sox will name Ben Cherington general manager during a press conference on Tuesday at Fenway Park.


Later, during a lunch at Harry Caray's Steakhouse, Theo and Ben can hammer out player compensation for the Red Sox.

Arizona Fall League Notebook

BRYCE HARPER went 0-for-13 with four punchouts to start the Arizona Fall League, but the Scottsdale Scorpion finally broke out tonight. Harper doubled off A's prospect Tyson Ross, then homered on a 2-1 pitch against A's farmhand Anthony Capra, a lefty, for a two-run shot to left field. Going "Oppo-Taco" off a southpaw is an impressive feat, even at the homer-happy Phoenix diamond.


Chicago Cubs prospect Josh Vitters, a potential target for the Red Sox as compensation for Theo Epstein, has been raking (.405, 2 HR, 10 RBI) in the AFL. 


Blue Jays prospect Travis d'Arnaud, who suffered torn ligaments in left thumb, underwent surgery in Phoenix on Monday and should make a full recovery before spring training. d'Arnaud was playing for Team USA in Panama when he sustained the injury behind the plate, receiving a pitch. I spoke with one Blue Jays executive today who was optimistic about d'Arnaud's return. 

Red Sox targeting Trey McNutt

There's no way the Chicago Cubs should give up Trey McNutt as compensation for Theo Eptein, who leaves behind a quagmire of terrible signings: Carl Crawford, John Lackey, Bobby Jenks and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.


McNutt, Chicago's top pitching prospect, revved up his fastball to 95-96-mph this year and has been rusty yet effective in two AFL starts (one earned run). Cubs need starting pitching and might be better served dangling OF Brett Jackson in talks with the Red Sox. Reports out of Chicago have the Cubs targeting McNutt.

"Theo Epstein is my new GM"

Growing up in New Hampshire, Brad Zapenas went to as many Red Sox games as possible and always dreamed about playing at Fenway Park. Today the goal is to sign a contract with Theo Epstein and play at another of baseball's cathedrals, Wrigley Field. 


Zapenas, drafted by the Cubs this summer, awoke Wednesday morning to learn Epstein was leaving Boston and taking on the ultimate challenge of leading the Cubbies to the World Series.


"I was excited. He's been a familiar face throughout college," said Zapenas, who played for Boston College. "I had the chance of meeting him when we played at spring training. He's young, and it's a great opportunity for him to come to the Cubs and help us win a World Series just like he did in Boston, which would be an unbelievable accomplishment for him, as well as for the Cubs."

The Cubs, honestly, were his second choice for a career move.


"In high school, I always wanted to go to the Red Sox, but I thought the Cubs would be a coll team since they haven't won a World Series in so long, and I feel like everyone in the baseball world is just hoping it will happen soon since they are such a storied franchise," said the Cubs farmhand, an infielder.

"It would be special to be part of this organization when they do win a World Series, and I think bringing Theo in as GM means they are really looking to be successful in the years to come."

Breaking: Theo Epstein to the Cubs

Theo Epstein, the kid who ended the 86-year curse in Boston is heading to Chicago. Epstein already has agreed to a five-year deal with the Cubs believed to be about $15 million.

The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of this week, once negotiations for compensation with the Red Sox have been finalized, according to WEEI's John Dennis. 


Can't say I'm surprised. It's a great opportunity for Theo, who takes on the ultimate challenge of bring a World Series champion to the Cubs.


You can bet Epstein's successor will be New Hampshire native Ben Cherington, who played high school ball at Lebanon (N.H) against my Plymouth Bobcats. Remember, it was Cherington who took over as co-GM along with Plymouth, N.H., native Jed Hoyer for a brief stint in 2005. Cherington and Hoyer pulled off the trade for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. Here's a look at Cherington as the right man for the job, an extensive piece written by Alex Speier.